Kozhikode, Sept 12: Carnatic singer Sudha Ragunathan was "pleasantly surprised " at the Kozhikode airport as she was escorted and given the VIP lounge because she is a Padma Bhushan awardee. She expressed her gratitude to the government for initiating this endeavor.
In a tweet, she said, "Pleasantly surprised to be escorted and given the VIP lounge at the Kozhikode airport because of my Padma Bhushan! If it is a new endeavor by the Govt., it is really very satisfying!"
She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2015 by the government for her contribution to Carnatic music. Notably, she is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, singer and composer. Apart from Padma Bhushan, she was conferred the Kalaimamani award by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1994, Padma Shri (2004), and Sangeetha Kalanidhi by Madras Music Academy in 2013.