West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave away the coveted Banga Bibhushan and Banga Bhushan Awards to the 11 eminent persons from different walks of life for achievement in their respective fields.
The five recipients of Banga Bibhusan award included eminent actor Soumitra Chatterjee, poet Nirendra Nath Chakraborty, ITC Chairman Y C Deveshwar, physician Dr Dhiman Ganguly and retired IPS Arun Prasad Mukherjee.
The six recipients of Banga Bhushan award included an eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent from Bangladesh Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Dr Abhijit Chowdhury, Khidmat Fakir, Ganat Rabha, Chapal Bhaduri and Lakhan Das Baul.
Legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee was conferred the Banga Bibhushan, the highest honour by the state.