Padma award not for anyone who gives application: Gill
New Delhi: Olympic bronze-medallist Saina Nehwal has been left disappointed after the Sports Ministry decided to reject her application for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award this year, citing norms.
Badminton Association of India (BAI) had recommended Saina’s name for the award to the Sports Ministry in August last year but the ministry picked two-time Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar as it felt he was a more deserving candidate.
“I heard that Sushil Kumar’s name was sent for Padma award as a special case, while my name was not sent to Ministry of home affairs by sports ministry. The ministry guidelines says that there needs to be a gap of five years between two Padma awards. So if they can send his name, why they didn’t recommend my name as I have completed the five years gap. I felt bad about it,” Saina, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2010, told PTI.
The 24-year-old claimed that her application was rejected last year also on similar grounds but this year, the ministry decided to recommend Sushil’s name even though he has not completed the five-year norm after being bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2011.
“Last year when I had sent my file for the Padma Bhushan award, the ministry said ‘No Saina you can’t apply this year because you have to complete five years for this.’ So I again applied this year for the award. So why my name was not recommended this year?,” she asked.
Saina said she will be more than happy if both she and Sushil get the award.
“Sushil is a great player but then medal is a medal. We both won medals at the Olympics. They could have given the award to him after 2012 Olympics as a special case if they had to. Why do it now? I am disappointed,” she said.
Former Sports Minister MS Gill denounced shuttler Saina Nehwal’s application for the prestigious Padma Bhushan award this year, saying the nation hold the highest discretion.
“Anyone who gives an application should not be given Padma award, if nation thinks you are good,award will be given,” Gill said.The London Olympics bronze medallist lashed out at the Sports Ministry for rejecting her application for the prestigious Padma award this year, citing norms.Meanwhile, India’s doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta also tweeted her displeasure at the Hyderabadi’s demand for the prestigious award.”Never stand begging for which you have the power to earn!!,” Jwala tweeted. (PTI)
