The Hindu frontpage: Rich haul of Padma Awards for State

January 26, 2010

Rich haul of Padma Awards for State

A.V.S. Raju

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh has reaped a rich haul of Padma Awards, the country’s highest civilian awards, announced by the Government of India on Monday.

Two distinguished Telugus—former Governor of RBI Yaga Venugopal Reddy (Public Affairs) and Apollo Hospitals Chairman Prathap C. Reddy (Trade & Industry) have been conferred Padma Vibhushan, though the latter falls in the Tamil Nadu category.

Carnatic vocal maestro Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana (art) has been conferred the prestigious Padma Bhushan award while NGRI Director V.P. Dimri (science & engineering), Annamacharya Bhavana Vahini founder and vocalist Shoba Raju (art), industrialist A.V.S. Raju (trade & industry) besides badminton ace Saina Nehwal (sports)were awarded the Padma Sri on Monday.

V.P. Dimri

Prof. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana (87), started his illustrious journey in Carnatic music as a violinist at the age of 13 under Mangalampalli Pattabhi Ramaiah, father of M. Balamurali Krishna.

After his foray into Carnatic vocal under the mentoring of the likes of Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu and Sripada Pinakapani, Prof. Satyanarayana never looked back in a career spanning over seven decades.

A recipient of several awards including the Central Sangeet Natak Academy award and Sangita Kalacharya award of Madras Music Academy,

Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana

Prof. Satyanarayana gave concerts in the United States, Canada Malaysia, Ireland and other countries.

Dr. Dimri expressed happiness upon receiving Padma Sri and described it as “recognition” of the contribution made by the entire NGRI staff. “Its great news” he told The Hindu here on Monday.

The NGRI staff did a lot of good work in the fields of earth sciences, energy security, water-related problems, environmental studies and natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.

Shoba Raju

The conferment of Padma Sri thrust greater responsibility and the institute would focus on future challenges relating to climate change, natural hazards and hydro-carbon resources, among others.

“I can be called as ‘Junior Padma Sri’ if someone feels I am too young to receive the prestigious award,” exclaimed Saina Nehwal.

“This award betters the Arjuna Award that I had got last year,” said a delighted Ms. Saina. Chief national coach Gopi Chand remarked: “I don’t think that she is too young for this Award. I also wish Saina will continue to hog the limelight at the highest level.”

Saina was the first Indian woman badminton player to reach the singles quarterfinals in the Olympics, first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships and first Indian to win a Super Series tournament.

Born in Antervedipalem village of East Godavari district, Dr. Raju (73) took the plunge into business in 1956, but not before experiencing the rigours of working in agriculture, construction and other activities.

The founder chairman of Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited, a leading construction firm, Dr. Raju started several industries in diversified areas including Nagarjuna Steels Ltd, AVS Containers, NCC Finance and Deccan Cements limited, providing employment to over 4,500 people.

A poet with 24,000 poems to his credit and author of several works, Dr. Raju had entered the Guinness Book of Records for penning the largest single volume biography of Sri Sathya Saibaba of Puttaparthy.

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