File photo by PR Sreejesh©AFP
Former men’s hockey captain PR Sreejesh was chosen for the Padma Bhushan, while recently retired cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin was among the Padma Shri winners as four athletes and a para-coach figured in the finalized list of 139 for the coveted civilian awards on Saturday. Legendary Indian footballer IM Vijayan and India’s first Paralympic gold medalist archer Harvinder Singh have also been nominated for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour.
Para-athletics coach Satyapal Singh, who mentored high jumper Praveen Kumar, Paris Paralympics gold medalist and Khel Ratna winner, would also receive the Padma Shri.
Sreejesh, 36, who retired after winning a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal with the national team in Paris, is currently the head coach of the junior men’s team.
Ashwin, 38, bid farewell to international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, finishing as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 matches.
The five were chosen for the Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of the 76th Republic Day.
Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian honor after Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan.
The Padma Awards are given for distinguished services to the public in all fields.
This year’s annual honors list includes seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awardees.
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