On January 25, just before the 76th Republic Day celebrations, several distinguished athletes were recognized with prestigious Padma awards in India. Among the recipients, former hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his remarkable achievements in sports, especially following his retirement after winning a bronze medal with the Indian team at the recent Paris 2024 Olympics.
In addition, notable sports figures received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India. This group included Harvinder Singh, who made history by winning India's first gold medal in para-archery at the Paris Paralympics, as well as former football captain Inivalappil Mani Vijayan and legendary cricketer R Ashwin, who have both made significant contributions to their respective sports.
The Padma awards are one of India's most prestigious civilian honors, recognizing achievers across various fields such as art, science, social work, and sports. Sreejesh has had a notable career as a two-time Olympian, contributing to India's success in multiple prestigious tournaments, including a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games and a silver at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Harvinder Singh's gold medal in the men's individual recurve open event at Paris was a remarkable achievement, following his bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, marking a significant progression in Indian para-archery. Meanwhile, Vijayan's influence on Indian football during the 1990s remains memorable, having led the national team to victory in the South Asian Football Federation Championship twice and being recognized multiple times as the AIFF Player of the Year.
R Ashwin is considered one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history, finishing his Test career with an impressive record before his retirement. He is the second-highest wicket-taker for India and made vital contributions to the Indian teams that triumphed in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Ashwin's legacy includes 765 wickets across all formats, underscoring his pivotal role in Indian cricket.
7 Comments
lettlelenok
Vijayan and Ashwin have left a legacy that will inspire generations of sportspersons to come.
ytkonos
The government should focus on improving the infrastructure and support systems for athletes instead of showering them with awards.
dedus mopedus
Harvinder Singh's achievement proves that disability is not a barrier to achieving your dreams.
Martin L King
Sreejesh's story is an inspiration to all aspiring athletes. He shows that hard work and dedication can lead to success.
Loubianka
While I respect these athletes' achievements, I feel the Padma awards should be reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society.
Eugene Alta
The Padma awards should be for exceptional achievements, not just for winning medals in major tournaments.
Loubianka
Congratulations to all the athletes honored with Padma awards! Their achievements are an inspiration to all of us.