New Delhi/IBNS: Mulayam Singh Yadav, Zakir Hussain, KM Birla and Sudha Murty are among 106 Padma Award recipients this year.

The government announced the names on the eve of the 74th Republic Day.

Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian awards of the country - are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, for excellence in various disciplines and fields of activities such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

Yadav, the late chief of the Samajwadi Party, has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan in the field of public affairs.

Hussain received the Padma Vibhushan in the field of art. Mr Birla got the Padma Bhushan for trade and industry.

Dilip Mahalanabis, who pioneered the use of ORS, will be awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award.

In a statement on the eve of the 74th Republic Day, the government said Mahalanabis' efforts led to the widespread use of oral rehydration system (ORS), which is "estimated to have saved over five crore lives globally."

Murty received the Padma Bhushan for social work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the awardeees and said India cherishes their rich and varied contributions.