Leading scientist and Director of the Sakal Media Group Raghunath Mashelkar was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian award, while Pratap Pawar, Chairman of the Sakal Media Group was awarded the Padma Shri. The awards were announced in New Delhi on Saturday, January 25. Other than Dr Mashelkar and Pawar, Sakal founder-editor Nanasaheb Parulekar and director Dr Banu Coyaji had been awarded the Padma Bhushan in the past.
While commenting on this award, Pratap Pawar said, “Thousands of workers are working in organisations which I am associated with and I have been honoured due to their efforts. If the potential of the country is properly utilized, this country will progress. If every citizen does his duty, there is a bright future for the country.”
The Padma awardees were felicitated by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar Hall on April 1.
