11:49 AM
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Jan. 25: If a checklist of the last year of Manmohan Singh’s first government has to be made, look no further than the Padma awards list made public today.
Between the lines that list a galaxy of names lie the signature events of 2008 — the association self-evident in many cases and not so obvious in some.
The big surprise on the Padma Shri roster is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, whose in-laws share a fraternal relationship with Amar Singh, a friend the UPA government found when Prakash Karat pulled the plug.
The issue that made Karat go ballistic — the nuclear deal — also finds an echo in the list of names for Padma awards, given by the government for exceptional service in various fields. Anil Kakodkar, the Atomic Energy Commission chairman who played a key role in getting the nuclear deal on track, will be given Padma Vibhushan — the big daddy of the Padma family. Bhushan and Shri, in that order, follow Vibhushan.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar are among the honorees for this years Padma Shri Awards. Also being honored with the award are star of yesteryear Helen, singer Udit Narayan, singer Hridaynath Mangeshkar and ghazal singer Penaz Masani. Crikceter Dhoni was also awarded a Padma Shri for his outstanding achievements in sports.
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