New Delhi: The government has turned down the proposal to confer the prestigious padma awards to several eminent personalities, including former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Dhoni, who in January this year stepped down as India’s limited-overs skipper, was ignored for the award.
Other famous names whose were turned down include Biju Janata Dal MP Baijayant Panda, music composer Anu Malik. Spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain were two other popular names who were snubbed for the award.
The home ministry hasn’t given any reasons for rejecting the names.
The Padma awards are expected to be conferred by the President at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year.
President Pranab Mukherjee approved Padma awards for 89 recipients, including seven Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri awards this year.
The report added that the maximum nominations were received for Singh, the controversial chief of the influential Dera Sacha Sauda who has also starred in three movies.
Source: Zee News