Eminent personalities from differet walks of life were conferred with Indian's highest civilian honour by Mr. K.R.Narayanan, the President of India, today. The awardees included Sachin Tendulkar, India's cricket sensation. He received the ``Padma Shri'' award. Out of 62 recipients, 34 received Padma Shri and 14 each received Padma Bushan and Padma Vibushan respectively.

As Tendulkar walked up to receive the award from the President in Indian team blazer, the exalted crowd present there went rapturous. ``I am very proud of you and carry on the good work,'' told the President while delivering the award to Tendulkar.

Tendulkar who is missing the ongoing triangular one-day series due to a back-injury informed the newsmen that he was getting better.

The program was attended by various dignitaries including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister L. K. Advani, Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan, former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.