Stockholm: An intensely private South African writer, scientists whose research has helped develop magnetic resonance imaging and researchers who uncovered secrets of human cells, were honoured on Wednesday (Dec 10, 2003) at the Nobel Prize awards ceremony.

Ten laureates received the prestigious awards in Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Economics from King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Swedish monarch.

After the ceremony at Stockholm's concert hall, the laureates were to attend the traditional Nobel banquet with the royal family and a host of dignitaries.

Iranian activist Shirin Ebadi received the Peace prize earlier today ( Dec 10, 2003) in Oslo. In his will, Alfred Nobel wanted the Peace prize to be awarded in the Norwegian capital.

Each prize carries a cash award of nearly USD 1.4 million.

A seating chart released today (Dec 10, 2003) by the Nobel Foundation showed former US Vice President Al Gore seated at the table of honour next to Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds. The 2000 Presidential candidate had been invited by computer giant Cisco, which sponsors the Nobel Web site, company spokeswoman Paola Tich said.

J M Coetzee, 63, received the Literature prize, the second South African to pick up the award after Nadine Gordimer, who won in 1991. Coetzee is a solitary figure, who rarely communicate with the media and prefers doing so by E-mail. He declined to show up to collect his two Booker prizes in Britain, but was in Stockholm to accept the Nobel, although he passed on the traditional news conference.

Agencies