Veteran India women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia and former India cricket captain Rohit Sharma were among the sportspersons conferred with the Padma Shri at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.
Savita was recognised for her contribution to Indian hockey, having become only the second Indian goalkeeper after PR Sreejesh to complete 300 international caps. She played a key role in India’s fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and was part of the team that secured qualification for the Rio Olympics after a 36-year gap.
Former India captain Rohit was honoured for his contribution to cricket, having led the national side to titles at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Tennis great Vijay Amritraj received the Padma Bhushan. A former world No. 18 in singles, Amritraj won 15 singles and 13 doubles titles during a career spanning more than two decades.
Among the other awardees, late Bhagwandas Raikwar was posthumously conferred the Padma Shri for promoting Bundelkhand’s traditional akhada-based martial arts. His son Rajkumar Raikwar received the award on his behalf. Late Vladimir Mestvirishvili was also honoured with the Padma Shri posthumously for his contribution as a coach, becoming the first foreign coach to receive a Padma award.
President Droupadi Murmu presented 65 Padma Awards at the ceremony, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri awards. The first Civil Investiture Ceremony for the Padma Awards 2026 was held on May 26, during which 66 awards were conferred.
(ANI)
