New Delhi: Former recipients of the Arjuna Award Tuesday lamented that its dignity has been lowered and the government is now throwing the honour away.
Former India hockey captain Ashok Singh, who is son of legendary Dhyanchand, legendary middle-distance runner Sriram Singh Shekhawat, who holds national record of 1:45.77 in 800m since 1976, and former India volleyball skipper Suresh Mishra all voiced the same sentiment.
“The dignity has to be maintained. Why do you need to give Arjuna every year. Is it necessary? We are now throwing the awards away,” Ashok told the agency.
“They (government) have set their own parameters. The value attached with the award should be increased. There should be a cap that only Asiad and Olympic medal winners should be selected for the Arjuna honour,” Ashok, member of 1975 World Cup winning Indian team, said.
Ashok, himself a 1974 Arjuna awardee, also denounced the current procedure, where athletes have to send application to be considered for the honour.
“You can’t beg for award or demand it. Why should I blow my own trumpet that I have achieved something. When someone goes out for competition, it happens with the permission of the government. They know the achievements so it should be the government which should pick athletes rather than players sending applications,” he said.
Shekhawat shared how tough the fight used to be for Arjuna among achievers of that era. “When Arjuna awards were decided for year 1972, I was an Asiad medallist but still did not get it. There was only one slot and the award was given to VS Chauhan,” Shekhawat, who was chosen for honour in 1973, recollected.
Suresh Mishra said, “Which name is bigger, Arjuna or Rajiv Gandhi. It’s an insult to Arjuna award. It has been degraded,” he said.
Former India hockey captain Zafar Iqbal though chose to differ, saying: “The award is not only for the athletes but also for the masses, who follow. It encourages everyone. It has been fair. I don’t think it’s devalued,” the 1979 Arjuna awardee said.
List of awardees
Dronacharya Awards: Late Dr R Gandhi (Athletics); Heera Nand Kataria (Kabaddi); GSSV Prasad (Badminton, Lifetime); Brij Bhushan Mohanty (Boxing, Lifetime); PA Raphel (Hockey, Lifetime); Sanjoy Chakraverthy (Shooting, Lifetime); Roshan Lal (Wrestling, Lifetime).
Arjuna Awards: VJ Surekha (Archery); Khushbir Kaur (Athletics); Arokia Rajiv (Athletics); Prasanthi Singh (Basketball); Laishram Debendro Singh (Boxing); Cheteshwar Pujara (Cricket); Harmanpreet Kaur (Women’s Cricket); Oinam Bembem Devi (Football); SSP Chawrasia (Golf); SV Sunil (Hockey); Jasvir Singh (Kabaddi); PN Prakash (Shooting); A Amalraj (Table Tennis); Saketh Myneni (Tennis); Satyawart Kadian (Wrestling); Mariyappan (Para Athlete); Varun Singh Bhati (Para Athlete).
Dhyan Chand Award: Bhupender Singh (Athletics); Syed Shahid Hakim (Football); Sumarai Tete (Hockey).
press trust of india