Khel Ratna awarded to Gukesh, Harmanpreet, Manu, Praveen

Two Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker and chess world champion D Gukesh shone, but when President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Sports Awards at a traditional ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, the para athletes got the most applause. Along with Manu and Gukesh, Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medallist high jumper Praveen Kumar were also awarded the country’s highest sports honour, the Khel Ratna Award. Harmanpreet was a member of the hockey team that won bronze medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. He was also the captain of the team at the Paris Olympics. On the other hand, Praveen, who was born with a left leg disability, won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and converted it into gold in Paris. 18-year-old Gukesh became the youngest world champion, defeating China’s Ding Liren last month. He is the second Indian to win a world championship after Vishwanathan Anand. This time 32 players were given the Arjuna Award. Of these, 17 are para athletes. The Arjuna awardees include Paris Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Aman Sehrawat, shooters Swapnil Kusale, Sarabhjot Singh and men’s hockey team member Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay and Abhishek at the ceremony. This time the number of para athletes winning awards was higher, who won 29 medals including seven gold and nine silver at the Paris Paralympics.

President Murmu often broke tradition and came forward for some wheelchair-bound players. Surma won the club throw medal in the 2014 edition of the 2015 edition of the 2016 edition.

She won a silver medal in the Paralympics in 2014 and was given the Arjuna Award. The most emotional moment in the ceremony was when India’s first Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar walked up to the President on crutches to receive the Arjuna Award (Lifetime). Petkar, an 80-year-old war hero, was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1965 against Pakistan.He was shot below the head. He was originally a boxer, but later became a para swimmer. Among those who appluaded him was actor Kartik Aryan, who played the lead role in the film ‘Chandu Champion’ based on him. Sports minister, Union minister of state, Sports secretary were also present on the occasion.

Awardees views on their achievement

1. This is a dream come true moment. For me, however, this is not the end of the journey. I want to achieve more for the country. – D Gukesh, Indian chess player
2. This is a big achievement for me. This is the biggest moment of my life that I am getting such a big award and recognition. – Harmanpreet Singh, Indian hockey captain
3. Khel Ratna is one of the most prestigious awards and I am grateful to those who supported me in this journey. – Manu Bhaker