Expressing disappointment over being left out of the Padma awards, badminton player Jwala Gutta has questioned the criteria for selecting recipients of the award.
"I always wondered the concept of applying for a particular award which is the most reputed awards in our country.. but then that's what the procedure is.. so I did apply...applied cos it's prestigious to have the award..cos I thought maybe I made the people of my country proud by my game and deserved it," she posted on Facebook page.
The doubles specialist went on to say, "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..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.”
She also talks about her two medals, the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games gold and 2014 Glasgow silver, not being enough to get her an award.
“My World Championships medal is not enough, I was top 10 ranked in this women doubles and mixed doubles and my Super Series performance and medals in Grand Prix gold is not enough," she added.
The list not only upset Jwala Gutta, but also left 16-time world billiards and snooker champion Pankaj Advani unhappy. Advani asked what more he needs to do in order to get the award.
“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,” Pankaj Advani tweeted.
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 https://t.co/kI1pmFL0M9
— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) January 25, 2017
Who is begging here? When u understand the magnitude of winning consistently for ur country/breaking records, u will empathize!! #letitbe https://t.co/8C8UpcZVAL
— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) January 26, 2017