The world took note when iconic costume designer Bhanu Athaiya returned her award to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in Los Angeles last week.u00a0Close on its heels, Oscar winners AR Rahman and Resul Pookutty highlight the need for national recognition for her achievements, who 30 years after her historical win, has still not received any recognition from the Indian government.

Resul Pookutty says:
“It is a pity that we had to let go of Bhanuji’s Oscar which is the first that this country won. The question arises how do you safeguard something so precious? I have kept my Oscar in a bank vault. That way I am assured it is safe.