Padma Shri Award: Rani Rampal, Tarundeep Rai, Oinam Bembem Devi honoured- Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal, Archer Tarundeep Rai and footballer Oinam Bembem Devi received Padma Shri Award on Monday.
Rani Rampal expressed her happiness after being conferred with the Padma Shri award 2020. Taking to her Twitter, Rani wrote, “Extremely happy to have received the prestigious Padma Shri award today from Hon’ble @rashtrapatibhvn I thank everyone for their love and support including my coaches and team. I thank Hockey India for their efforts to improve women’s hockey in India.”
Rani Rampal had led the women’s hockey team in Tokyo Olympics 2020 held earlier this year. She was conferred with the award by President Ram Nath Kovind. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were among the attendees.
Extremely happy to have received the prestigious Padma Shri award today from Hon’ble @rashtrapatibhvn I thank everyone for their love and support including my coaches and team. I thank Hockey India for their efforts to improve women’s hockey in India. pic.twitter.com/SVzb74oklp
— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) November 8, 2021
Former captain of the Indian women’s football team, Oinam Bembem Devi was also honoured with the Padma Shri.
The ‘Durga of Indian Football’ Oinam Bembem Devi became the first Indian woman footballer, and the seventh overall to receive the prestigious Padma Shri Award on Monday.
Bembem Devi received the Award from President Ram Nath Kovind here at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation (AIFF) in his statement said:
“Congratulations! It’s an extremely proud moment for Indian Football. Bembem Devi has been a role model for Indian Football and won so many laurels for India over the years. I hope more girls draw inspiration from her and take Indian Women’s Football to greater heights.”
Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation in his statement said: “Bembem is a living legend and has been the flagbearer of Indian Women’s football over the years. 2022 is the year of Women’s Football in India as we are hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, and then the FIFA U17 FIFA World Cup India 2022.
“I am confident this Award will provide the necessary fillip to inspire the next generation, and generate interest among all stakeholders. Congratulations!” he added.
Das also made a mention of Bembem’s contribution to the sport as a coach after hanging her boots. “Post-retirement Bembem has been transferring her knowledge as a coach, having been a part of Indian National age-group teams, and also at the club level. I wish her all the best for her professional and personal life.”
In the process, Bembem joins the elite club of Late Gostho Paul, Late Sailen Manna, Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee, Bhaichung Bhutia and current Indian Men’s National Team captain Sunil Chhetri as Indian Footballers who won the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
Meanwhile, Archer Tarundeep Rai was also honoured with the Padma Shri award 2020 on Monday.
Padma Shri Award is the country’s fourth-highest civilian award. The ceremony for presenting Padma awards was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.
The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
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