PR Sreejesh and R Ashwin Honored with Padma Awards
In a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 28, legendary hockey player PR Sreejesh and celebrated cricketer R Ashwin were presented with prestigious Padma Awards by President Droupadi Murmu. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other notable figures.
Sreejesh received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, recognizing his significant contributions to Indian hockey. The celebrated goalie, who retired from the sport last year, played a key role in India winning back-to-back Olympic medals in men’s hockey, including at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and his final appearance in Paris last year.
R Ashwin, honored with the Padma Shri, shared this accolade with former footballer IM Vijayan and Paralympian Harvinder Singh, who secured gold in archery at the recent Paris Paralympics. The Padma Awards were announced earlier on January 25, the day before Republic Day.
Sreejesh’s Traditional Style
Dressed in a traditional silk shirt and mundu, Sreejesh was accompanied by his family, who proudly cheered him on as he accepted his award. R Ashwin opted for a smart navy blue suit and was seen greeting Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah before receiving his award.
The Padma Awards celebrate excellence across various fields, including arts, social service, public affairs, science, and more. They are classified into three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, with the latter being India’s fourth-highest civilian honor.
Ashwin, recognized as one of India’s finest spin bowlers, previously retired from international cricket following the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He is currently playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
