MUMBAI: President Pratibha Patil gave away the Lokmat sponsored Maharashtrian of the Year awards for 2011 to eight illustrious persons of Maharashtra besides presenting Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar with the highest honours.

The awards presentation ceremony was presided over by the Governor of Maharashtra K Sankaranarayanan.

While Amitabh Bachchan was presented with the Lokmat Moty Manbindu award, veteran Dilip Kumar was honoured with the Lokmat Jeevan Gaurav (Lifetime Achievement) award for their valuable contributions to the world of cinema and entertainment. Both received a trophy, a citation and Rs 500,000 each.

Besides, eight other people who received the Maharashtrian of the Year awards for significant work and service in various areas were Paromita Goswami from Nagpur for Social Service and Public Service; Himmatrao Bavaskar from Mumbai for Science and Technology; Raju Shetty from Kolhapur for Politics; Hanmant Gaikwad from Pune for Business; Bandopant Rakhmaji Khedkar from Pune for Art; Kishor Kadam from Mumbai for Literature; Veerdhawal Khade from Kolhapur for Sports and Sheikh Nasir-Sheikh Niyaz from Nashik for Entertainment.

The winners received an individual citation, a trophy and a cheque for Rs 100,000 as a token of Lokmat Media?s appreciation of their immense contribution to the progress of Maharashtra.

Lokmat Media chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Jawaharlal Darda said, "The winners represent the best spirit of selfless and dedicated service to our glorious state, and truly deserve to be saluted with Jai Maharashtrian.

"I am confident that receiving this high award from the Her Excellency Pratibha Patil, the President of India, will inspire them immensely, and will also encourage others to emulate them."

He thanked the President for having graced the occasion as chief guest. Darda also thanked the state governor for having presided over the awards function.

NEW DELHI: Singer KJ Yesudas was honoured with the outstanding achievement award for being India?s celestial singer having recorded over 50,000 songs in a five-decade career by CNN-IBN.

The award was part of sixth edition of the CNN-IBN?s annual Indian of the Year Award.

The team of Sony?s ?Kaun Banega Crorepati? and its host Amitabh Bachchan received the award for redefining the genre of reality television and an outstanding presentation style.

The guests of Honour included former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabji; Mark Tully; former Chief Justice of India Justice JS Verma; former cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth; Major General Lacchaman Singh Lehl, Commodore Vijay Jerath - Vir Chakra and Brij V Mahalingam.

Awards were also given away in other categories including political, public service, business, Indian of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award among others.

CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, "CNN-IBN Indian of the Year is an earnest effort to appreciate the tasks undertaken by these gifted luminaries and their allegiance in making India shine. They have been effective instruments of change in bringing India into the new age. We congratulate all the winners for their extraordinary contribution to the country."