NEW DELHI: Recognising the remarkable achievements and contributions of Indians who have tirelessly worked towards strengthening India?s foundation, CNN-IBN announced the winners of the Indian of the Year 2012. At a star-studded awards ceremony held in New Delhi, winners across Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Business and Public Service categories were announced.

Instituted in 2006, this is the seventh edition of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Awards. Over the years, these awards have achieved prestige and credibility unmatched by awards instituted by other media organisations. The awards adhere to a transparent and unique four-tier selection process that includes the IBN Editorial Board drawing a list of nominees, which are authorised by the Jury, followed by voting by the Electoral College and India?s citizens.

The award ceremony will be telecast on CNN-IBN on 22 December, Saturday, 9:30PM. The winners across different categories are:

INDIAN OF THE YEAR 2012 & SPORTS:
Viswanathan Anand is CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Award 2012 and in addition to this he also bagged the award in the Sports Category for being India?s most successful chess grandmaster who has been the undisputed World Champion since 2007.

POLITICS:
Manohar Parrikar: For being the architect of BJP?s win in Goa and for successfully selling the agenda of hope in a state, which was used to a despairingly low level of politics.

BUSINESS:
Dr. Yusuf Hamied: For running CIPLA, one of the most socially conscious pharmaceutical companies in the world, profitably.

ENTERTAINMENT:
Irrfan Khan: For an outstanding performance in ?Paan Singh Tomar?, and for continuing to make a splash in international cinema with films like ?The Amazing Spider-Man? and ?The Life of Pi?.

PUBLIC SERVICE:
Dr. Devi Shetty: For being a cardiac surgeon who leads and runs the world?s largest and most economical heart care and health care institute, Narayana Hrudayalaya, which is run with the motive of giving quality health care services with dignity.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Aamir Khan & Team Satyamev Jayate: For using the medium of television and the talk-show format to shed light on burning social issues that affect India?s masses.

MC Mary Kom: For overcoming all obstacles to find a place on the Olympic podium. Her achievement brought joy to an entire region that had always been on the fringe of not just sports but Indian society at large. She is an inspiration and a hero.

Tessy Thomas & Team DRDO: For being an unlikely face in the world of defence research and for inspiring women to choose a career in science. Known as the Missile Woman and Agniputri, Tessy regards missiles as instruments of peace because of their deterrence value.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Heroes of Rezang La, 1962: For their heroic stand at Rezang La on November 18, 1962 to save a Ladakhi village during the India-China war. The C Company of the 13th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, led by Late Maj. Shaitan Singh, fought to last man, last round, and wrote one of the most glorious chapters in the military history of the world.

Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat, said, ?We at CNN-IBN are privileged to honour these distinguished citizens for their accomplishments and contributions in taking India forward. We congratulate all the winners for their extraordinary participation.?

Mumbai: Maharashtra has had a special place in the history of progressive India. It has produced leaders who have made a great contribution to the development of the country in all walks of life. Be it politics, music, sports, films, literature, theatre, fashion, business, social service, farming, journalism or medicine, Maharashtrians have scripted many of India?s grand success stories.

In this fame-obsessed time, there are people doing phenomenal work without any expectation of recognition. There are people who have contributed to the society and served their respective fields with the devotion that can inspire many. They have been appreciated well now its time to give due recognition them, now its time to honor them!

A man who collects money in the local trains to build a school. A coach who helps kids succeed at the international level in the forgotten game of Kabaddi. A police constable who lost his arm while diffusing a bomb. These are the real heroes of our society showing real courage in everyday life. We take it upon ourselves to honour these unsung heroes who, with their undying dedication and passion, are making this world a better place.

Zee 24 Taas, the first 24-hour Marathi news channel takes great pride in felicitating these real heroes of Maharashtra. Zee 24 Taas Ananya Sanman is a unique platform which gives due recognition to these real heroes who have considerably contributed in their sphere of work. People who have done great deal of work in their fields but still go un-recognized and stayed away from limelight.

In its first year, Ananya Sanman 2008 honored the Marathi achievers from various fields who achieved fame in their respective arena of work.

In the second & third year, Ananya Sanman 2009 & Ananya Sanman 2010 honored the un-sung heroes from various fields who have done in-comparable work in their respective sphere.

The fourth edition is also a continued effort for carrying forward the tradition of "Sanman" and honoring the extraordinary. There are seven different categories that have been chosen to honor unsung heroes. These categories are; Entertainment, Sports, Farming, Education, Environment, Social Service and Bravery.

The recipients of these honors will be felicitated by the hands of veterans of those respective fields.

The concluding part to this ceremonious occasion sees a life time achievement honor to a legendary person with a stature.

The previous editions have witnessed the presence of eminent personalities from politics, business, culture & sports. Hon?ble Chief Minister & Dy. Chief Minister were the chief guests for the ceremony in respective years.

Zee 24 Taas Ananya Sanman 2011 is being hosted in association with Loksatta. Tata Sumo Gold, LIC of India, Axis Bank, Ideal e-live, and Rambandhu Masale are the associate sponsors whereas TJSB Bank is the official banker.