New Delhi:
On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi hosted a grand ceremony where President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards to some of India’s most outstanding athletes. The event, which is the pinnacle of sporting recognition in India, saw double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, chess world champion D Gukesh, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympic gold-winning high jumper Praveen Kumar receive the coveted awards.
Manu Bhaker, at just 22 years old, has already made history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics, securing bronze in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events. Her inclusion in the Khel Ratna list follows a brief controversy over her nomination, which was eventually resolved.
D Gukesh, only 18, has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest chess world champion, following in the footsteps of the legendary Viswanathan Anand. His victory over China’s Ding Liren last month and his crucial role in India’s gold win at the Chess Olympiad in September have cemented his status as a rising star in Indian sports.
Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, has been instrumental in the team’s bronze medal wins at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. His leadership and penalty corner expertise have made him one of the most respected figures in international hockey.
Praveen Kumar, born with a short left leg, has shown extraordinary resilience and skill, upgrading his silver medal from the Tokyo Paralympics to a gold in Paris. His achievements are a testament to the determination and talent of India’s para-athletes.
The ceremony also honored 32 athletes with the Arjuna Award, with an unprecedented 17 being para-athletes. This reflects the outstanding performance of India’s para-athletes at the Paris Paralympics, where they won 29 medals, including seven gold and nine silver.
One of the most heartwarming moments of the ceremony was when Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medallist, received the Arjuna Award (lifetime) for his contributions to para-swimming. Petkar, who was disabled due to bullet wounds sustained during the 1965 war, was welcomed with a standing ovation as he walked up to the President on crutches.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi. The awards, which include a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh for the Khel Ratna and Rs 15 lakh for the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards, are a recognition of the athletes’ hard work, discipline, and excellence in their respective fields.
