India

President Murmu Honors Sports Icons With Khel Ratna And Other Prestigious Awards At Rashtrapati Bhavan

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on outstanding sports figures during a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. Among the honorees were world chess champion Gukesh D, Olympic and Paralympic medalists Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar, all of whom were recognized for their remarkable achievements in sports.

Gukesh D, the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, was honored for his stunning victory over China’s Ding Liren in Singapore, solidifying his place in history. Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete to win twin medals in a single edition of the Paris Olympics, received the award after claiming two bronze medals in shooting.

In hockey, Harmanpreet Singh was celebrated for leading India to its second consecutive Olympic bronze in men’s hockey. Praveen Kumar, a para-athlete, earned recognition for his gold medal in the high jump T64 at the Paralympics. These athletes were honored for their stellar performances over the past four years, epitomizing excellence in their respective fields.

Arjuna Awards Recognize Emerging Talents

In addition to the Khel Ratna, 32 athletes, including 17 para-athletes, received the Arjuna Award for their extraordinary contributions to sports. The list of awardees includes names such as Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani, Nitu, and Saweety, who have all made significant strides in their sporting disciplines. The Arjuna Award, given for exceptional performance over four years, also celebrates qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.

Also Read: BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ Promises Financial Aid, LPG Subsidy, And Atal Canteens For Delhi Voters

The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) was conferred on former cyclist Sucha Singh and para-swimmer Murlikant Rajaram Petkar, who were honored for their enduring contributions to sports. Petkar, who made history at the 1972 Paralympic Games by winning a gold medal in the Men’s 50m Freestyle 3, was especially recognized for his pioneering role in Paralympic sports.

The Dronacharya Award, presented to coaches for their consistent and meritorious work, was given to Subhash Rana (para-shooter), Deepali Deshpande (shooting), and Sandeep Sangwan (hockey). In the lifetime category, coaches S. Muralidharan (badminton) and Armando Agnelo Colaco (football) were also honored for their contributions to training athletes who excelled at the international level.

Institutions Recognized for Promoting Sports

The Physical Education Foundation of India was honored with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar, a recognition for organizations that promote sports at various levels. Additionally, Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University (PB), and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar received the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy for their overall outstanding performances in the Khelo India University Games.

This ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan not only celebrated individual achievements but also highlighted the ongoing contributions of coaches, organizations, and universities to the development and promotion of sports in India.

Richa Kaushik

Recent Posts

SUV Sales Surge In March As Indian Automakers Report Strong Growth

Indian automobile manufacturers recorded strong sales in March, driven by increasing demand for SUVs and…

6 mins ago

Parliament Approves Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill

Parliament has passed the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill to establish India’s first cooperative sector university…

9 mins ago

India Strengthens Fight Against Naxalism; Cuts Affected Districts To Six

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India has made significant progress in eliminating Naxalism, ensuring…

31 mins ago

Chilean President Hails PM Modi’s Global Influence During India Visit

Chilean President Gabriel Boric hails PM Modi as a key global leader, emphasizing India's rising…

32 mins ago

India Poised For Highest G20 Growth: Moody’s

Moody’s has forecasted India’s GDP growth at 6.5% for 2025-26, maintaining its position as the…

45 mins ago

Nushrratt Bharuccha Shares Her Thrilling Journey With ‘Chhorii 2’

As the sequel to the hit horror film ‘Chhorii’ approaches its release, Nushrratt Bharuccha expresses…

1 hour ago