Pune: Renowned scientist Dr. Vijay Bhatkar has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 Punyabhushan Award for his unparalleled contributions to the field of computer science.

The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 5:45 PM at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Pune. The award will be presented by Infosys founder and chairman, Padma Vibhushan N.R. Narayana Murthy, as announced by Dr. Satish Desai, founder-chairman of the Punyabhushan Foundation.

The event will also feature the presence of Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and prominent entrepreneur Prataprao Pawar. The ceremony will be presided over by distinguished scientist and chairman of the Punyabhushan Award selection committee, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar.

The selection committee, headed by Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, chose Dr. Bhatkar for this prestigious award. Additionally, soldiers injured in battle and mothers of martyrs will be honored during the event.

This year marks the 36th edition of the award, which has been recognized both nationally and internationally. The award amount has been increased from ₹100,000 to ₹200,000.

The award also includes a replica of young Shivaji Maharaj plowing the land of Pune with a golden plow, representing the city's guardian deities, as part of the distinctive Punyabhushan memento.

In the past several decades, eminent personalities like Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Shantanurao Kirloskar, Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare, Dr Mohan Dharia and many more have been felicitated with the Punyabhushan award.

Veteran vocalist Dr Prabha Atre was conferred upon with this award in 2018 for her valuable contribution in the field of Indian classical music. In 2017, veteran orthopaedic surgeon Dr KH Sancheti was felicitated with Punyabhushan award.