Tennis legend Rohan Bopanna, who is set to be crowned world number one in men's doubles, and celebrated squash player Joshna Chinappa were among those chosen for the Padma Shri honour by the Indian government. (More Sports News)
The Padma Awards are given in various disciplines/fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
ALSO READ: Check Full List Of Padma Awards 2024 Winners
Bopanna, a legend of the game, will be the oldest world number one when new ATP rankings are released on Monday. The 43-year-old will take the court on Saturday with his Australian partner Matthew Ebden in the men's final of the Australian Open 2024.
The doubles specialist is only the fourth Indian to win a Grand Slam trophy, -- a mixed doubles title he won with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski at the French Open in 2017.
Joshna has won multiple medals at the Asian Games and is also a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist. The 37-year-old has also won four medals at the World Squash Championships in doubles events, including a gold in 2022.
Other athletes who have been selected for the honour are: Hockey player Harbinder Singh, Mallakhmab practitioner Uday Deshpande, archer Purima Mahtao, para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna, para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. For the year 2024, the President has approved the conferment of 132 Padma Awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards.
