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Arjuna made cheap,say past recipients
Former recipients of the Arjuna award today lamented that its dignity has been lowered and the government is now \"throwing\" the honour away.Former India hockey captain Ashok Kumar, legendary middle-distance runner Sriram Singh Shekhawat and former India volleyball skipper Suresh Mishra all voiced the same sentiment.
New Delhi: Former recipients of the Arjuna award today lamented that its dignity has been lowered and the government is now "throwing" the honour away.Former India hockey captain Ashok Kumar, legendary middle-distance runner Sriram Singh Shekhawat 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 PTI.
"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.
India's ace squash player Saurav Ghosal also felt the same."I think the concept of recommending or nominating someone for the awards is flawed. It just doesn't sound right that player needs to be recommended or needs to apply for the award. The committee should pick the winners on their own on the basis of performances. Applying for the awards is like asking for a grant," the 2006 Arjuna awardee said.
"When they were decided for year 1972, I was Asiad medallist but did not get it," Shekhawat, who got in 1973, said,Suresh Mishra said there should be only Arjuna award, which was instituted in 1961 while Khel Ratna was in 1991-1992.Former India hockey captain Zafar Iqbal though chose to differ, saying giving awards was a way to encourage athletes."The award is a just reward for the athletes . I don't think it's devalued," the 1979 Arjuna awardee said.
By Amanpreet Singh
