New Delhi: Shooter Gagan Narang, who won four gold medals in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and world wrestling champion Sushil Kumar were on Tuesday conferred with the Padma Shri awards.
Besides Gagan and Sushil, the other five conferred with the civilian award were cricketer VVS Laxman, weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, discus-thrower Krishna Poonia, para-jumper Shital Mahajan and mountaineer Harbhajan Singh.
Gagan Narang hit a purple patch in 2010, when apart from the four golds at the CWG, he won two silvers at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Gagan is also the only India shooter to have qualified for the 2012 London Olympics after bagging bronze in the men's 10m air rifle event in the World Shooting Championships in Munich, overtaking some of the best in the business, including Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra.
"It is a great achievement for me. Last year I wanted to skip the Commonwealth Games since there was no motivation for me. But this award means a lot as it will act as a motivation for me to win a medal at the London Olympics," the World No. 4 said.
Sushil too had an amazing year as he created history in Moscow, becoming the first Indian to win the World wrestling Championships.
Sushil also won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi. He beat Heinrich Barnes of South Africa 7-0 in the finals in the 66-kg freestyle wrestling category. But he unfortunately had to pull out of the Asian Games due to injury.
"It (the award) has put additional responsibility on me going into the London Olympics. But it will inspire me to come up with a better performance than Beijing in the London Olympics," reacted Sushil, who missed the Asiad due to neck and shoulder injury.
Discus-thrower Krishna Poonia led an Indian clean sweep in the CWG women's discus final, striking gold with a throw of 61.51 metres. She is the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in track and field events of Commonwealth games and the first Indian to win a gold in such events after Milkha Singh.
She carried her form into the Asian Games but had had to be content with a bronze.
When contacted after declaration of her name, the athlete responded: "I was not even aware that I was nominated for the award. It was only when media started calling and when friends came home with sweets that I realised I have been named for the award.
"The award means a lot for athletics in India and will motivate athletes. It is a respect for the sport.".
Cricketer VVS Laxman was conferred the Padma Shri for his services to the game. The Hyderabad batsman, who has played significant turns in securing many memorable Test wins for Team India follows teammate Virender Sehwag in the list, with the swashbuckling opener having been awarded the honour last year.
The stylish batsman said, "I feel honoured as I have been bestowed with one of the most prestigious awards. It is indeed satisfying that my achievements while playing for the country have been rewarded."
"I would take this opportunity to thank my parents and my uncle who first spotted my talent. It was he (uncle) who encouraged me to take up the sport seriously. The support of my wife and kids has been invaluable."
Weightlifter Kunjarani was equally ecstatic on getting the award.
"I thought I would get the Padma Shri after I won gold in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. So I was not expecting to get the award this year. When I got a call that I have been awarded with Padma Shri, I was pleasantly surprised. I am happy to have got the award, though belatedly," she said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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