New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, and four other sports personalities received Padma Awards from President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday for their awe-inspiring contribution to the sports world. Gambhir was conferred with Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, along with footballer Sunil Chhetri, archer Bombayla Devi Laishram and Prashanti Singh, noted basketball player.
The third highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, was given to Bachendri Pal, first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest. The investiture ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines and fields of activities, viz- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc..
This year 112 personalities received the honour, out of which 56 personalities were given away the honour on March 11 and the rest were accorded with the awards on Saturday. Sports personalities who have received this prestigious award on March 11 were: Harika Dronavalli, chess player; Sharath Kamal, table tennis player; Bajrang Punia, freestyle wrestler and Ajay Thakur, captain of Indian Kabaddi team.