Correct option is C
The correct answer is (c) B.B. Lal.
B.B. Lal (Braj Basi Lal), a renowned Indian archaeologist, was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 2021 for his exceptional contributions to the field of archaeology. He is especially known for his work related to the Ram Janmabhoomi excavation in Ayodhya, which significantly influenced the historical and cultural discourse in India.
He also served as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and contributed to numerous excavation projects, including those at Hastinapur, Kalibangan, and the Indus Valley Civilization sites. His scholarly work has had a long-lasting impact on Indian archaeology and heritage studies.
He was honored posthumously, as he passed away later in 2022, after having a decorated career that spanned several decades.
Information Booster:
· Padma Vibhushan is India’s second-highest civilian honor, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
· B.B. Lal was a celebrated archaeologist and served as DG of ASI.
· He led the excavation at Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi) in the 1970s.
· His work bridged academic research and national heritage.
· His award in 2021 recognized his lifetime achievements in archaeology.
Additional Knowledge:
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P. Anitha: Known for her achievements in sports, specifically basketball, but was not a Padma Vibhushan awardee in 2021.
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Bhuri Bai: A famous tribal artist from Madhya Pradesh. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021, not Padma Vibhushan.
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Tarun Gogoi: Former Chief Minister of Assam. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, not the Padma Vibhushan, in 2021.