I really don't know whether I should be asking for this award, or that I simply don't deserve it, said Jwala Gutta in a Facebook post.
Jwala Gutta, India's ace doubles badminton player, expressed her disappointment at being ignored for a Padma Award by essaying a lengthy rant on social media on Wednesday. The left-hander, along with cueist Pankaj Advani, is one amongst those who have raised a question upon being snubbed.
"I always wondered what was the concept of applying for a particular award, which is the most reputed award in our country. But then that's what the procedure is. So I did apply. I applied because it's prestigious to have the award, because I thought maybe I made the people of my country proud by my game and deserved it. I have been playing for this country for more than 15 years now and have won so many prestigious tournaments, I thought maybe I should apply. But I guess it's never enough," Gutta said in a Facebook post.
The 33-year-old went on to question the need for one to apply for an award, "You need recommendations, recommendations that you deserve an award. You need to put in a word and get letters and the list goes on and on. But the question I still have is why do I have to apply for an award and also ask for recommendations. Aren't my credentials good enough? Well, I am really curious about the whole system," she added.
"My two consecutive medals, Delhi Commonwealth Games gold and Glasgow silver is not enough. My World Championships medal is not enough. I was top 10 ranked in this women's doubles and mixed doubles and my Superseries performance and medals in Grand Prix gold is not enough. I'm a 15-time National champion and I am also the first Indian to qualify for two events in Olympics in Indian history. I'm the first Indian to win a medal after Prakash Padukone sir in World Championships and so many other firsts," rued Gutta.
"I have laid the path for doubles in Badminton for our country when nobody took it seriously, but it simply isn't enough. Why, because I am outspoken? Because I am opinionated? Why is it that I am being denied of this particular award? Now I really don't know whether I should be asking for this award, or that I simply don't deserve it. If this is not enough, what is?" added Gutta.
Here's her post:
Earlier, hurt at missing out on Padma Bhushan award for the second year in a row, 16-time world champion cueist Pankaj Advani said he does not know what he needs to do more to receive the coveted civilian honour. Advani, who has pocketed eight world titles in the last eight years, was recommended for the third highest civilian award of the country by the Karnataka government as well as the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI).
The Bengaluru-based Advani, one of India's greatest cueists, did not say much after being overlooked for the award yet again, but expressed his feelings on social media. "Thank you sir. Just feel after 16 world titles and 2 Asian games golds if I'm ignored for a padma bhushan, don't know what more I need to do," Advani tweeted in his response to Sports Minister Vijay Goel, who congratulated him for winning a staggering 28th national title in Pune earlier this week.
Here's his tweet:
No sportsperson was chosen for Padma Bhushan this year while eight athletes from various disciplines, including Virat Kohli and Dipa Karmakar, were honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour which Advani received way back in 2009. Advani has also been awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2006), India's highest sporting honour.
BSFI secretary S Balasubramaniam could not think of any current sportsperson more deserving than Advani for the Padma Bhushan. "It is very sad to hear that he has been ignored again. It is happening year after year. It is disheartening not only for him but for the entire fraternity. Looks like lobbying is what works (to get these awards). If you go by sheer performance, Pankaj should have got it long ago. Tell me a sportsperson who consistently win world titles like Pankaj. However, we will try again next year," Balasubramaniam said.
Advani's brother Shree too did not hide his disappointment. "This shows the government's tunnel vision towards cricket and Olympic sports. Apparently, you can only get the awards by lobbying or if hype is created, merit is not enough. Pankaj deserves a lot more than Padma Bhushan," he said.
(With PTI inputs )
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 "pankaj advani, vijay goel, dipa karmakar, virat kohli, karnataka, prakash padukone, glasgow, pune, jwala gutta, padma award, Pad")
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