Prominent Punjabi industrialists, businessmen, legal luminaries, philanthropists, artists, writers and politicians figure on the Punjab government honours’ list. They will be feted on November 10 by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh at Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, as part of the ongoing celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
First Sikh billionaire Bob Dhillon, first Sikh CJI Justice JS Khehar, Sikh Navy chief Karambir S and rice revolutionist Dr Gurdev Khush are some of the prominent names that appear in the list of Sikhs and Guru Nanak Naam Leva personalities .
The names in the list have reportedly crossed the 550 target figure. The list has now stretched upto 688. The function is to be held at newly-constructed Guru Nanak Auditorium of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University on November 10.
The names of some prominent dozen-odd NRIs, who have made a mark in the foreign lands, figure in the list. These include US-based CEO of Mastercard Ajaypal Singh Banga, the first Sikh billionaire
Bob Singh Dhillon who is Canada-based, UK-based business magnate Swaraj Paul, London-based politician Lord Raj Loomba, British businessman Lord Raminder Singh Ranger, US-based physicist Narinder Singh Kapany, New Zealand-based industrialist Bhav Dhillon, New York-based real estate tycoon Darshan Singh Bagga, Malaysia-based lawyer and judge Harminder Singh Dhaliwal, UK-based entrepreneur in healthcare sector Kartar Singh Lalvani and Singapore-based businessman Kartar Singh Thakral of Thakral Group of Companies.
Founder Chairman Emeritus of Max Group Analjit Singh, billionaire internet entrepreneur and co-founder of Flipkart Binny Bansal (from Chandigarh) figure in the list of entrepreneurs. Several Indian businessmen including Chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra, Jawahar Oswal, Avon Cycles owner Onkar Singh Pahwa, MD and CEO of Hero Motocorp Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Trident Group Rajinder Gupta, Head of Vardhman Group of Companies SP Oswal and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises Sunil Mittal are some other sureshot names in the list.
Eight serving and retired defence officers too are in the list. These include Navy Admiral Karambir Singh, ex-IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Vice Chief of IAF Air Marshal Harjit S Arora, ex-AOC-in-C Air Marshal Jagjeet Singh, ex-Army Chief Gen JJ Singh, ex-Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh, ex-Army Chief Gen Nirmal Chander Vij and Param Vir Chakra awardee Honorary Capt Bana Singh.
Rice revolution pioneer Gurdev S Khush, Padam Shri awardee farmer Jagjit Singh Hara (from Ludhiana) and ex-Chairman IFFCO Balwinder Singh Nakai are among those from the field of agriculture.
First Sikh CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice HS Bedi (former judge SC), Justice Kuldip Singh (former judge SC) and Justice NK Sodhi (former Chief Justice High Court), Justice SS Nijjar (former judge SC), Justice SS Saron (former judge HC) are among those from judiciary to receive the honour.
From media circle, ex-Editor-in-Chief of India Today Aroon Purie, journalist and economist Arun Shourie and journalist Karan Thapar are also to be honoured on the occasion.
Among social activists, Patron President of All India Pingalwara Charitable Society Dr Inderjeet Kaur Pingalwara, environmentalist Balbir S Seechewal and social activist Baba Sewa Singh will be felicitated.
From the field of art and culture, the names of novelist Dalip Kaur Tiwana, singers Hans Raj Hans and Puran Chand Wadali, filmmaker Naresh Bedi, director Neelam Mann Singh Chaudhary, photographer Raghu Rai, poet Surjit Patar and musician Padma Shri Zakir Hussain have been finalised.
Four artists - graphic artist Arpana Caur, Padma Bhushan awardee painter Arpita, Padma Shree Gurcharan Singh and Lalit Kala Academi awardee Krishen Khanna too will receive the award.
Among politicians, the names of ex-Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek S Ahluwalia, SGPC president Gobind S Longowal, actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar, politician-cum-lawyer KTS Tulsi, MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, ex-MP MS Gill also figure other than ex-PM Dr Manmohan Singh, ex-CM Parkash Singh Badal and Union Minister Hardeep Puri.