MUMBAI: Doordarshan's Sahyadri Navratna Awards 2015, which honour Maharashtrians across various fields, will take place on 23 April at Ravindra Natya Mandir at 7 pm.

Doordarshan additional director general Mukesh Sharma said, “The last 14 years have been a joyous journey for us and we are glad to announce that hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra C Vidyasagar Rao will grace the occasion as the Chief Guests for the evening.”

Following the announcement, addressees including retired justice C.L. Thul, All India Business Association president Vijay Kalantri and veteran actor and theater personality Vikram Gokhale, shared their pride in association with the now 14 year old award ceremony.

Gokhale also expressed his joy in the positive feedback they have received after introducing the Lifetime Achievement Award (Jaavan Ratna) last year, which will be awarded to the prolific screenplay writer GR Kamat this year.

The other nine awardees include:

• Swara Ratna (excellence in music): Usha Mangeshkar
 
• Ratna Vaibhav (excellence in business): Baba Kalyani
 
• Natyra Ratna (excellence in theatre): Jayant Savarka
 
• Ratna Sharada (woman of substance): Dr Tara Bhawalkar
 
• Sahitya Ratna (excellence in literature): Dr Sadanand More
 
• Chitra Ratna (excellence in film): Mahesh Kothare
 
• Ratna Darpan (excellence in journalism): Suresh Dwadashiwar
 
• Kala Ratna (excellence in art): B R Khedkar
 
• Ratna Sourabh (excellence in sports): Virdhawal Khade
 

The panel of judges for this year constitutes ex. commissioner of Municipal Corporation Of Greater Mumbai Karun Shrivastav, retired judge C.S Thul, veteran actress Suhas Joshi, senior journalist and writer Girish Kuber and ndustrialist Vijay Kalantri.