List of Current National Awardees of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
The highest honorary award in Sports given to any athlete by the Republic of India is the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. It is ranked among the top Sports Awards in India. The award got its name after our honourable Mr Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. He was the PM of the country for 5 years, between 1984 to 1989. Each year, the Khel Ratna Awards are presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. A Ministry-appointed committee selects the recipients for their "spectacular, most extraordinary performance in the sphere sports during a period of four years" at an international level. In this post, we will discuss the list of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award winners.
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History of Inception: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards
In 1991-92, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was established, and that year the first Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award winner was declared. Rajiv Gandhi was an Asian Games organizing committee member in 1982. As the son of the Prime Minister at that time, he had some influence over other members. The infrastructure of Delhi was transformed by the Asian Games in 1982. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which can hold 60,000 people, was constructed for the Games. It is now an integral part of Delhi's skyline and one of the most desired venues for cultural and sporting events. Many of the well-known flyovers and roads in the city were built at that time. The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the Games Village would have been lost without the 1982 Games. On the other hand, the sight of flyovers in Delhi gave the city an international feel. This was Delhi as it appeared in the new guise. It competed with major cities across the developed world. All of this amazing work was accomplished in two years.
The first Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award winner was established in 1991-92 and was for the best performance of a sportsperson within a single year. The Ministry updated the criteria to take into account the performance over four years, based on suggestions from the 2014 award selection committee.
(a) Nominations are accepted until 30 April or the last working day in April. There can be no more than two nominees per sport discipline.
(b) The performances of athletes at international events such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Asian Games are evaluated by a twelve-member committee.
(c) The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports then receives the recommendations.
(d) The award consists of a medallion and a certificate as well as a cash prize worth Rs 7.5 lakh.
The Selection Process for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees
All sportspersons are eligible to be nominated for Khel Ratna Awards for outstanding contributions and achievements in their respective sports. All nominations must be sent to the National Anti-Doping Agency or SAI for confirmation of doping clearance and other procedures. The award is not available to any athlete who has been sanctioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency or is currently under investigation for using banned substances or drugs.
A committee of the Joint Secretary and Director/Deputy Secret of the Department of Sports, as well as the Secretary and Executive Director/Director (TEAMS) of SAI, verify and validate the nominees. Valid nominations are presented to the government's selection panel. This twelve-member committee includes a Chairperson nominated by the Ministry, four Olympians or previous recipients of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna or Arjuna Award, three sports journalists /experts /commentators, one sports person /expert /administrator associated with parasports, one sports administrator, the Director-General of SAI, and the Joint Secretary of the Department of Sports, with no more than four members.
The best marks are awarded to only two athletes in each discipline, one male and one female. The award cannot be given to the athlete with the highest overall score in all disciplines. However, the committee can recommend the athlete with the highest overall score for a specific sport discipline. The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports will finalise the suggestions made by the selection committee.
Selection Process
All applications received are then sent to the Sports Authority of India and NADPA.
They then verify the information.
A player banned by the National Anti-Doping Institute because they have taken the wrong drugs cannot apply.
This inquiry involves the Joint Secretary and Director/Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Secretary and Executive Director of Sports Authority of India/Director.
The government then selects the nominees and places the chosen name in front of the selection committee.
This 12 members government-appointed committee. Nominated by the Ministry as chairman, 4 Olympians, and players who were awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna or Arjuna Awards for their contributions to three sports.
Journalist, Expert / Commentator. 1 Sports Person/Expert / Administrator. Parasports is associated with a sports administrator and joint secretary.
Points are awarded to players based on their participation in sporting events. This is crucial for the selection process.
List of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners Since 1992
Post the first Khel Ratna award winner in 1992; there have been close to 50 recipients to date. Here is a list of the same.
Did you Know?
In 1992, Viswanathan Anand was the first recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for his outstanding performance in chess. Being the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award first winner, his legacy is still praised by everyone. Ever since, the Khel Ratna award list has seen some of the best individuals across various sports and games.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has been Renamed to Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards.
In tribute to Major Dhyan Chand (who is widely regarded as one the greatest field hockey players ever), the Khel Ratna Award was renamed Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Dhyan Chand's birthday is National Sports Day. He has won three Olympic golds, which are associated with the country’s golden era at the Olympic Games.
FAQs on India's Lionhearted Athletes
1. Who was the first woman to win the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna?
In 1995, Karnam Malleswari was the first Khel Ratna Award winner among the Indian women athletes for her outstanding performance in weightlifting. Karnam Malleswari was born in Srikakulam, an Andhra Pradesh village, in June 1975. At the tender age of 12, she began weightlifting at her village gym. Krishna Kumari, her younger sister, is also a weightlifter at the national level. Karnam Malleswari attended ZPPG High school in Amadalavalasa. Her father was a railway protection force constable. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal and the first and only Indian weightlifter to achieve the medal. She was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1995 and the civilian Padma Shri Award in 1999.
2. Which one is the highest level of award Arjuna Awards or Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna?
Without a doubt, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna is the highest form of award given to any athlete by the Government of India. Named after Arjuna, the award was named in honour of an ancient Indian character from the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. The Arjuna award, which was India's highest sporting honour before the introduction of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award first winner (1991-1992). At a point in time, the Arjuna award was India's highest sporting honour. But after 1992, it was replaced by Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. From 1961 to 1992, close to 20 athletes were awarded the Arjuna Awards. Post-1992, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was awarded to the athletes.
