New Delhi: In sheer disregard towards provision to avoid conflict of interest, prominent dignitaries nominated their relatives and colleagues for the Padma awards, a reply received by RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal has revealed.The list includes singing legend Lata Mangeshkar recommending her sister Usha Mangeshkar, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan nominating his sons Amaan and Ayan Ali Bangash, and political leader Amar Singh nominating his trusted associate film star Jaya Prada for the Padma awards. Similarly, nonagenarian author Khushwant Singh nominated his favourite Sadia Dehlvi and the National School of Drama recommended Sharmila Tagore. Actor Hema Malini recommended singer Kailash Kher's name for Padma award, while Bollywood producer and politician T. Subbarami Reddy had recommended actors Sridevi and Anil Kapoor for the Padma awards. Reddy is very close to the Kapoor family and has produced films like Chandni, Vijay and Lamhe. Assocham and National Commission for Minorities chief Wajahat Habibullah recommended beautician Shahnaz Hussain's name, while Ambika Soni recommended Vandana Luthra's name. Even the President Pranab Mukherjee recommended filmmaker, author and journalist Pritish Nandy's name for the Padma award.Congress treasurer Motilal Vora recommended 25 names, while singer Pandit Jasraj recommended 11 names for Padma awards, the RTI reply revealed. Minister of State Rajiv Shukla recommended as many as seven names for Padma awards.
