After presenting Padma Vibhushan award personally to Dilip Kumar at his Pali Hill residence here on Sunday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh described the veteran actor as “precious gem” of not just the cinema world but also the entire country.
In his brief speech after handing over the prestigious award the actor, Singh said: “Dilip Kumar has created such a niche for himself over the last 40-50 years, that almost every artiste regards him as a role model”.
Singh said said that the actor was to receive the Padma Vibhushan Award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in April this year. “But due to his ill health, he could not attend that ceremony. And hence, I have come to Mumbai today to deliver the Padma Vibhushan award on behalf of the President of India”, Singh said.
Singh handed over to the actor the Padma Vibhushan medallion, the citation and a shawl in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Maharshtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Close family members and well wishers of Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Saira Banu said. “It is a momentous occasion for the family and we are happy that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, personally came to Mumbai to present the award to her husband.
Padma Vibhushan Award for Mohammad Yusuf Khan -- known popularly as Dilip Kumar -- was announced on the Republic Day of 2015 for his exceptional and distinguished service.