Badminton player-turned coach Pullela Gopichand and Dr Anumolu Ramakrishna, doyen Of Indian construction industry (posthumously) were the two Kammas who were awarded Padma Bhushan in recognition of the distinguished services of high order extended by them. They are among the 25 people awarded this year's Padma Bushan.
The awards will be conferred by the President at a ceremonial function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Bhawan usually around March or April. This year, the President has approved conferment of 127 Padma Awards – two Padma Vibhushan, 24 Padma Bhushan and 101 Padma Shree awards – one of the highest civilian awards for prominent personalities in the country.
Dr Anumolu Ramakrishna, who got the Padma VIbhushan posthumously from Punadipadu village, near Vijayawada served as the President, Deputy Managing Director and Advisor of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. He also served as the Operational Head of ECC Construction Division of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. He provided leadership for the construction of scores of cement plants, steel plants, power projects, refineries, petrochemical complexes, bridges, harbours, airports and nuclear power plants in and outside India.
Chief Coach of Indian badminton, Pullela Gopichand, is elated at having been bestowed the coveted Padma Bhushan in the year’s roll of honours. “It indicates that the contributions are getting recognised. I am happy that badminton has been in the spotlight. It is even more heartening that this comes after the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA) received the President’s Medal last year. I am also happy that this comes on the day when two the of the Academy’s leading lights, Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu have made it to the finals of India Open. I hope more men players will be honoured with the Arjuna next time round,” he said.
Anumolu Sri Rama Rao has been selected for Padma Shri award for his social work. Being a medical doctor, he also received Dr BC Roy National Award in 1995.
Rama Rao (74) has treated more than 2,70,900 patients by conducting thousands of free medical camps. He also worked as the president of the Indian Medical Association, Vijayawada unit, during 2010-11. His father Sheshagiri Rao worked as sarpanch for Punadipadu village near Viajaywada
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