President Pranab Mukherjee today said, "Prestigious awards ... are a public recognition of talent, merit and hard work by peers and leaders in profession. Such awards should be cherished and valued by those who receive them." His remarks came while he was present at an event to mark the National Press Day in New Delhi. Lately filmmakers, inteliigentsia have been returning their national awards to protest against the atmosphere is rising intolerance in the nation.