Republic Day civilian honour for Sania — youngest Padma Shri

27 January 2006

HYDERABAD — Indian Tennis sensation Sania Mirza, who has emerged as a ‘youth icon’ of India, has added a new feather to her cap. She has become the youngest Padma Shri in the country as the Indian government has chosen her for the civilian honour on the Republic Day.

She was one of the five prominent personalities from Andhra Pradesh to find a place among the awardees. The other include the popular Telugu film actor Chiranjeevi, who got Padma Bhushan, the Hyderabad Central University Vice Chancellor Ehtesham Hasnain and former director of National Geophysics Research Institute (NGRI) Harsh Kumar Gupta and the Supreme Court lawyer PP Rao who along with Sania got Padma Shri awards.

Nineteen-year-old Sania, who made a history by becoming the only Indian women tennis player to touch the highs of 31 in the WTA rankings last year with a spectacular performance, said that she was incredulous to get the award. “This is an unexpected new year gift�, she said reacting to the news. “I will do every thing possible to live up to the huge expectations. It is a great honour�, she said. Sania, who crashed out in the second round of this year’s Australian Open earlier this month, said that this award would come as a great booster and encouragement to her.

Her father Imran Mirza was also thrilled. “We never imagined about this prestigious honour�, he said adding that it will add to the responsibilities of Sania Mirza. The Telugu film star Chiranjveei, who was chosen for Padma Bhushan, responding to the news, said he was delighted to see the news on TV. “It is a great honour and matter of happiness. I am thankful to the may fans. The government has recognised me with this honour and this will be a great motivator to work harder. I dedicate my award to my fans�, a cheerful Chiranjeevi said.

IANS adds: Prominent among the personalities who were conferred the Padma Vibhushan are Adoor Gopalakrishnan (art, Kerala), C.R. Krishnaswamy Rao (civil service, Tamil Nadu), Charles Correa (science and engineering, Maharashtra), Mahasveta Devi (literature and education, West Bengal), Nirmala Deshpande (social work,