India Padma Awards

Indian President Pratibha Patil, left, presents the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards to Bollywood music composer A R Rahman at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Indian President Pratibha Patil, left, presents the Padma Vibhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards to theater director Ebrahim Hamed Alkazi at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Indian President Pratibha Patil, left, presents the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards to Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Indian President Pratibha Patil, left, presents the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards to Badminton player Saina Nehwal at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Bollywood composer A R Rahman, left, Classical vocalist Chhannulal Misra, center, and Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, pose for photographs after receiving the Padma awards, India's highest civilian awards at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Indian President Pratibha Patil, center, poses for photographs with some of the receipients of the Padma awards, India's highest civilian awards at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Indian President Pratibha Patil, left, presents the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Padma Bhushan awardees actor Aamir Khan and music composer A R Rahman along with Union ministers Farooq Abdullah (R) and Dayanidhi Maran (2nd L) during the Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

President Pratibha Patil conferring the Padma Bhushan award to social activist Balasaheb Vikhe Patil during the Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Prathiba Singh Patil (L) presents The Padma Shri Award to US citizen Carmel Berkson, sculptor, photographer and writer, residing in India for the past forty years, during the presentation of the 'Padma Awards 2010' at The Presidential House in New Delhi on March 31, 2010.

President Pratibha Patil conferring the Padma Bhushan award to Ayurveda physician Panniyampally Krishna Warrier during the Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi

Prathiba Singh Patil (L) presents The Padma Shri Award to Indian field hockey player Ignace Tirkey during the presentation of the 'Padma Awards 2010' at The Presidential House in New Delhi on March 31, 2010

President Pratibha Patil conferring the Padma Bhushan award to Sanskrit scholar Satya Vrat Shastri during the Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Prathiba Singh Patil (L) presents The Padma Bhushan Award to Balagangadharanatha Swamji, the 71st Pontiff of the religious centre of the Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, Karnataka, during the presentation of the 'Padma Awards 2010' at The Presidential House in New Delhi on March 31, 2010.

President Pratibha Patil conferring the Padma Bhushan award to neuro surgeon S P Agarwal during the Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

President Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Shri award to Baba Sewa Singh, head of Kaar Sewa, Khadur Sahib of Taran Tarn (Punjab) during the Padma Awards 2010 function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi