Eminent Agricultural Scientist Dr M S Swaminathan has been selected as the 1st recipient of the Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award for Excellence while renowned social worker Gutta Muniratnam has been selected as the 1st recipient of the Muppavarapu National Award for Social Service. The award was given at a function in Hyderabad, Telangana. This award which is given for the 1st time has been instituted by Muppavarapu Foundation for award for excellence while the one for social service was launched by Swarna Bharat Trust, in Hyderabad, Telangana.