Music composer Ilayaraja and Non Resident Indian Hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal was conferred the Padma Bushan Awards by President Pratibha Singh Patil at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on wednesday. Noted mridangam exponent Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, former Reserve Bank of India Governor Y.V. Reddy and nonagenarian artiste Zohra Segal were honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian awards.

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar,Boxer Vijender Singh, actress Rekha, and Academy award winner Resul Pookutty was conferred with Padma Shri. The event was marked by the presence of the Vice President Hanid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ministers and other distinguished guests.