PR Sreejesh, Ravi Ashwin receive Padma Awards

Two-time Olympic medallist and Indian hockey great PR Sreejesh and former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin were conferred with the prestigious Padma awards by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday.

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While Sreejesh was awarded the Padma Bhushan, Ashwin received Padma Shri at the star-studded ceremony, which was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.

Sreejesh, who was among the 19 recipients of the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, played a pivotal role in India's historic backto-back Olympic medal-winning campaigns in men's hockey, leading from the front at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and delivering an outstanding performance during his final Olympic appearance in Paris.

The hockey great, who retired from the sport last year, is regarded as one of the most decorated players in Indian hockey history.

Sreejesh, currently serving as the Coach of the Indian Men's Junior Hockey Team, becomes only the second hockey player to receive the Padma Bhushan after the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, who was honoured with the award in 1956.

Sreejesh's stellar career, which spanned 18 years and saw him represent India in 336 international matches, came to a close after the Paris Olympics 2024. In his final appearance at the Olympics, Sreejesh's exceptional goalkeeping helped India secure a Bronze, adding to the historic Bronze medal won at Tokyo 2020.