In a prestigious ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Indian athletes were recognized for their outstanding achievements, highlighting both emerging stars and para-athletes who stole the show. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor, upon a select group of athletes.
Manu Bhaker, aged 22, made history as India’s first athlete to secure two medals in a single Olympics, winning bronze in both the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events in Tokyo last year. Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the men’s hockey team, contributed to India’s bronze medals in both Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Praveen Kumar, a Paralympic high jump gold medalist born with a short left leg, upgraded his silver to gold in Paris.
In chess, 18-year-old D Gukesh became the youngest-ever world champion after defeating China’s Ding Liren. He also played a crucial role in India clinching the men’s gold at the Chess Olympiad.
A record number of 32 athletes received the Arjuna Award, with an unprecedented 17 para-athletes among them. This reflects India’s strong performance at the Paris Paralympics, where para-athletes secured 29 medals, including seven gold and nine silver.
President Murmu broke tradition to personally honor wheelchair-bound athletes like Pranav Soorma, recognized for his Paralympic silver in club throw. The ceremony’s emotional highlight was Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, who received a lifetime Arjuna award for his achievements despite being disabled waist down due to injuries sustained in the 1965 war.
The event was attended by dignitaries including sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and parliamentary and minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju. Awards such as the Khel Ratna carry a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, while the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards include Rs 15 lakh each.
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