Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan is presently the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) at Bangalore; Honorary Professor of Physics, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad and at the Jawarharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Research at Bangalore. He is also a Member of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. Under his leadership the India Space programme witnessed several major milestones. He has received several international and national awards including the highest civilian honour Padmashri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan by the President of India and Award of 'Officer of the Legion d' honneur' by the President of the French Republic.

Panna Dhai Award
Panna Dhai was a dhai or foster mother to the young prince of Mewar Kunwar Udai Singh, the rightful successor to the Gaddi, of Mewar. Banbir, who was an outsider, wanted to usurp this position and remove all impediments including young Udai Singh. One night, Banbir entered the quarters of Kunwar Udai Singh, determined to eliminate him. Panna Dhai had suspecting malicious intentions placed her own child in the bed of the young prince. Her fierce loyalty extended far beyond any call of duty. The House of Mewar will always be indebted to her.
The Panna Dhai Award is a National Award. It has been instituted to honour a person who ventures beyond the call of duty and sets an example in society of permanent value through sacrifice. It is in this spirit that the National Award was instituted in 1997. Ms. Aruna Roy was presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a felicitation certificate and a cash award of Rs 25001.
Ms Aruna Roy is a social activist. She is best-known for her campaign to better the lives of the rural underprivileged in Rajasthan. Her long campaign has been instrumental in passing the Indian Right to Information Act in 2005. She established the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana (MKSS), Workers'-Farmers' Unity Union, a group, which has become a working example of a transparent organisation.

State Awards and Awardees
Harit Rashi award is a state award commemorating scholarship through the medium of vedic culture, the ancient 'Shastras' and 'Karma Kand'. This year Pt. Shivcharan Shastri and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sharma received the award.
Maharana Mewar award honours those who serve society in the field of education, literature, social services, philanthropy and character building activities. This year Prof S L Mehta received the award.
Maharana Kumbha award honours works of permanent value to society through the medium of history and literature. This year's recipients are both educationists; Dr. Shrikrishna Jugnu and Dr. Jabbarnath Purohit.
Maharana Sajjan Singh award honours work of permanent value to society through the medium of paintings, fine art, sculpture, architecture and craft. Shri Ajay Kumar Garg, a specialist in miniature painting and Shri Ikram Ahmed Khan, who has dedicated his working life to hand- made ' Lac Bangles' received the award this year.
Dagar Gharana award is a State award named after the illustrious House of Dagar who made Dhrupad and Dhammar Gayaki their personal and identifiable symbol of excellence in

Indian classical music. This award honours musicians. Shri Mehmood Dhaulpuri is an eminent harmonium player and this year's recipient.
Rana Punja award honours tribesmen. Shri Mangilal Garasia and Shri Mahaveer Bhagora are this year's awardees.
Aravali award is a State award that honours and encourages outstanding sportsmen in any discipline of sport. Ms Mala Sukhwal for power lifting and Master Akshay Chajjed for swimming are this year's awardees.

S.H.O. of the Mandana Police Station receiving special award from Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur

In 2008 a Special Award, Best Police station of Rajasthan was initiated. A Memorandum of understanding was signed on the 22nd February between the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) and the Department of Police, Government of Rajasthan. It was agreed that the department of Home Affairs would select the best police station in Rajasthan each year and the foundation will bestow a Special Award at the Annual Award Ceremony in recognition of its achievement. This special award consists of a silver 'Toran' plaque of honour; a commemorative medal; a merit certificate; a ceremonial shawl and cash award of Rs 5000.
Another Special awardee in 2008, Mr. Ashrut Ambastha joined IIT Bombay. He went on to become chief designer of TATA's bio-medical instrumentation project. Thereafter he set up the Computational Research Laboratories in collaboration with Mr. Ratan Tata (under TATA Sons Ltd).
Bhamashah award is a State award to honour excellence in students chosen from amongst all the Universities of Rajasthan. In 2008, 45 students received this award.
Maharana Raj Singh award is a city of Udaipur award. This award was instituted to honour deserving students of universities based within the municipal limits of Udaipur and also students from those colleges who are affiliated to these universities, but are located outside Udaipur, for distinguished achievements in Games and sport, and Cultural, literary, co-curricular and extra curricular activities conducted by a recognised body. In 2008, 9 students received this award.
Maharana Fateh Singh award is a city of Udaipur Award honouring those students who have passed the exams of Central Board of Secondary Education and Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan from Secondary and Senior Secondary schools located within municipal limits of Udaipur. In 2008, 42 students received this award.