MUMBAI: Bollywood stars Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi received Padma Bhushan awards from President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Wednesday. Late cartoonist Mario Miranda was conferred the Padma Vibhushan.
The colourful ceremony saw Miranda‘s son Rahul receive the Padma Vibhushan at Rashtrapati Bhawan amidst thunderous applause from guests. But the loudest applause was reserved for Dharamendra and Shabana Azmi when they came on stage to collect their respective awards.
The ceremony was attended by vice president Hamid Ansari, prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries.
In all, one Padma Vibhshan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 53 Padma Shri awards were presented at the ceremony.
