New Delhi, Jan 28: The Indian Express reported on Saturday that a well-known photographer of the Nehruvian era, Sunil Janah has been awarded the Padma Shri award twice, first in 1972, and now again in 2012.
Sunil Janah, the photographer was a recipient of the same honour exactly four decades ago.
Janah was awared the Padma Shri in 1972 by the Indira Gandhi government.
The oversight could be because of the fact that his surname was then spelt ‘Janath' and his domicile was shown as Delhi, whereas he was born in Assam. This time his domicile is shown as Assam, the IE report said.
The 94-year-old photographer's family, well-wishers and friends are upset.
“This is so peculiar of the government of India. They gave him an award and forgot about him. Now, all of a sudden it occurred to them that he should be awarded again. And they throw at him the same Padma Shri again as if it is doing him some great favour or charity. This is very insulting,” Janah's wife Shobha told The Indian Express.