New Delhi, January 25 – In a moment of national pride on the eve of Republic Day, the Indian government announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma awards. Among the luminaries recognized are five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awardees, as per the list released by the Home Ministry.
Para high jumper Praveen Kumar, who scripted history at the Paris Paralympics, has been bestowed with the Padma Shri. Speaking exclusively to media after the announcement, Praveen expressed profound joy, saying, ‘This has been a long wait, and patience always bears sweet fruit. I’ve been striving for this recognition for the past two and a half years, and receiving it now feels incredible.’ Congratulations have been pouring in, though he admitted he hasn’t yet reviewed the full list.
Praveen’s golden leap of 2.08 meters in the men’s T64 high jump at Paris not only clinched gold but also etched his name in paralympic lore. This triumph follows his silver at Tokyo Paralympics and gold at the Asian Para Games. Last year, he added a bronze from the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi to his tally.
The sports fraternity shines brightly in this year’s honors. Cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, captains of India’s men’s and women’s teams respectively, have been awarded Padma Shri. Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj receives the Padma Bhushan for his illustrious career, building on his earlier Arjuna Award in 1974 and Padma Shri in 1983.
Other sports figures honored include hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, Baldev Singh, Bhagwandas Raikwar, and K Pajanivel, celebrated for their invaluable contributions to Indian sports. These awards underscore India’s commitment to recognizing excellence across diverse fields, inspiring future generations to aim higher.
