Sports
It is time for recognition and honour in sports. And the official ceremony of honouring sports achievers happens every year on this very day (August 29), the birth anniversary of Dada Dhyan Chand, the illustrious hockey legend the world has seen.
Dhyan Chand’s birthday is indeed India’s National Sports Day and that is the only recognition the nation has given him. Though there are awards instituted in his name, nothing more has been given to the legend.
Dada Dhyan Chand and Bharat Ratna. will the glittering award be bestowed on the hockey legend at least this time. - Google
Repeated calls for Bharat Ratna to be bestowed on the yesteryear’s hockey star has always fallen on deaf ears and even protests all over India have failed to succeed.Even this year, nothing is known about, whether Dhyan Chand will be honoured with Bharat Ratna.
Dada Dhyan Chand's son Ashok Kumar hoping that this will be the time. - Google
Every year a bio-data of Dhyan Chand is sought and the sports ministry sends it to the Prime Minister’s office and on the day of announcement his name fails to find a place on the list. This year too Sports Minister Vijay Goel is said to have recommended Dhyan Chand for the biggest award, but suspense prevails.
“For a person like Dhyan Chand, is it necessary to seek a bio-data every time and forward it to the concerned for recognition,” questioned Olympian Ashok Kumar, the son of the legend.
File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying floral tributes. - Google
Prime Minister's tribute on this day. - Twitter
“The last I heard was that my father’s name has once again been recommended to the Prime Minister’s office,” said the son, who himself had a great hockey career. “However, I appreciate the efforts of the sports ministry and hope there is no suspense this time.” Keeping fingers crossed until the official announcement comes is a situation we faced before and are facing now too.
“It is just not me, we (every Indian citizen) are anxiously waiting for the big announcement. Hope there is no anti-climax like in 2014,” he opined.
Virender Sehwag seeks more for Dada. - Twitter
Sehwag on Twitter
In 2013, Dhyan Chand appeared frontrunner for the Bharat Ratna after being nominated ahead of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, but what happened next was there for everyone to see. The award which was announced the very next year went in favour of Sachin, who had called it a day on his playing career in November 2013.
That again showed the supremacy of cricket over all other sports. Incidentally, Sachin Tendulkar is the only sports person to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Dhyan Chand's achievements in Olympics. - Google
“Hockey though we love it as our national game has no charm left,” said Ashok Kumar, who also blamed the current crop of administrators for their poor knowledge of the past and the contributions made by the hockey wizard.
“Whatever my dad has done was before India’s independence and the free India conveniently forgot the Dada of hockey,” he added.
Dhyan Chand’s three Olympic gold medals (1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin) came before independence and according to his son Dada was completely forgotten to be only recognised after death. The legend left for heavenly abode in 1979.
The hockey magician. - Google
“There were many times we (the citizens of India) were flattered to be deceived, I hope at least this time the Prime Minister gives the nod and the Bharat Ratna is bestowed upon my father (Dhyan Chand),” said the Arjuna award winner.
Hoping against hope that his father will be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, the Olympian also lamented on the current situation of the hockey in the nation. Lauding India’s improvement in the FIH rankings, Ashok termed inconsistency is not helping the team.
“I blame complacency for India’s defeat to teams like Malaysia and Canada lately and the negative result against stronger teams like Netherlands, Australia etc. are the result of succumbing
Dhyan Chand’s birthday is indeed India’s National Sports Day and that is the only recognition the nation has given him. Though there are awards instituted in his name, nothing more has been given to the legend.
Dada Dhyan Chand and Bharat Ratna. will the glittering award be bestowed on the hockey legend at least this time. - Google
Repeated calls for Bharat Ratna to be bestowed on the yesteryear’s hockey star has always fallen on deaf ears and even protests all over India have failed to succeed.Even this year, nothing is known about, whether Dhyan Chand will be honoured with Bharat Ratna.
Dada Dhyan Chand's son Ashok Kumar hoping that this will be the time. - Google
Every year a bio-data of Dhyan Chand is sought and the sports ministry sends it to the Prime Minister’s office and on the day of announcement his name fails to find a place on the list. This year too Sports Minister Vijay Goel is said to have recommended Dhyan Chand for the biggest award, but suspense prevails.
“For a person like Dhyan Chand, is it necessary to seek a bio-data every time and forward it to the concerned for recognition,” questioned Olympian Ashok Kumar, the son of the legend.
File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying floral tributes. - Google
Prime Minister's tribute on this day. - Twitter
“The last I heard was that my father’s name has once again been recommended to the Prime Minister’s office,” said the son, who himself had a great hockey career. “However, I appreciate the efforts of the sports ministry and hope there is no suspense this time.” Keeping fingers crossed until the official announcement comes is a situation we faced before and are facing now too.
“It is just not me, we (every Indian citizen) are anxiously waiting for the big announcement. Hope there is no anti-climax like in 2014,” he opined.
Virender Sehwag seeks more for Dada. - Twitter
Sehwag on Twitter
In 2013, Dhyan Chand appeared frontrunner for the Bharat Ratna after being nominated ahead of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, but what happened next was there for everyone to see. The award which was announced the very next year went in favour of Sachin, who had called it a day on his playing career in November 2013.
That again showed the supremacy of cricket over all other sports. Incidentally, Sachin Tendulkar is the only sports person to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Dhyan Chand's achievements in Olympics. - Google
“Hockey though we love it as our national game has no charm left,” said Ashok Kumar, who also blamed the current crop of administrators for their poor knowledge of the past and the contributions made by the hockey wizard.
“Whatever my dad has done was before India’s independence and the free India conveniently forgot the Dada of hockey,” he added.
Dhyan Chand’s three Olympic gold medals (1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin) came before independence and according to his son Dada was completely forgotten to be only recognised after death. The legend left for heavenly abode in 1979.
The hockey magician. - Google
“There were many times we (the citizens of India) were flattered to be deceived, I hope at least this time the Prime Minister gives the nod and the Bharat Ratna is bestowed upon my father (Dhyan Chand),” said the Arjuna award winner.
Hoping against hope that his father will be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, the Olympian also lamented on the current situation of the hockey in the nation. Lauding India’s improvement in the FIH rankings, Ashok termed inconsistency is not helping the team.
“I blame complacency for India’s defeat to teams like Malaysia and Canada lately and the negative result against stronger teams like Netherlands, Australia etc. are the result of succumbing
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