Milkha 'Flying' Singh rejects Arjuna Award

[echarcha]

CHANDIGARH: 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh on Thursday refused to accept the Arjuna Award for lifetime contribution, saying "I have been clubbed with sports persons who are nowhere near the level that I had achieved".

Milkha Singh told reporters here he had sent a letter to Sports Minister Uma Bharti conveying his decision.

He said he had taken the decision after tele-conversation with Bharti and taking into account the sentiments expressed by people in India and abroad, who suggested he should not accept it.

Milkha Singh, who also released a copy of the letter, said, the Arjuna Awards, instituted in 1961, were being given to those who did not deserve them. "I am against this award itself and the way it is awarded", he said.

He claimed politicians and ministers recommended names for grant of Awards which were supposed to be given to those who won medals at international events including Asian Games and Olympics.

"Even the Prime Minister's Office makes recommendation of names", the Flying Sikh alleged.

In his letter, Milkha Singh thanked the Centre for including his name, adding "it would have been appreciable, if a new-named higher award had been instituted, keeping in view my achievements, which had not been brought to your kind notice".

Listing his achievements, he informed Bharti that he had won four gold medals in Asian Games, a gold in Commonwealth Games in 1958, the first and last till date, ran 80 races all over the world winning 77, was awarded 'Helms World trophy' in 1959 by the US on virtue of being the best 400 metres runner in the world and broke the Olympic record in 1960 Rome Olympics.

"In view of above achievements, clubbing me with sportspersons who are nowhere to the level that I had achieved is not desirable. My sportspersons friends in India and abroad are all strongly concerned and they are justified because I had already been honoured with Padamshree immediately after my achievement in 1958", he said.

The athlete also held Bharti responsible for lowering the prestige of Arjuna Awards by giving them to undeserving individuals but put maximum blame on officials and the committee which selects the awardees.

"I personally feel that you had good intentions, but the officers holding the sports portfolios for a long period, had not apprised your goodself the pros and cons of each awardee vis-a-vis guidelines laid down for the Arjuna Award," Milkha Singh wrote in the letter.

Declining to name the 'non-deserving' awardees in the list, he said even those who participated in kho kho, swimming and basketball, were being awarded.

"Prestige of the Award has gone down. I will get a bad name if I accept it," Milkha Singh said adding "it is surprising that organisers of Asian and other games are also being included in the awardee list".

"I would like to put up a humble proposal that objective guidelines may be framed for future awards so that there could be no deviation with subjective outlook leading to heart burning amongst genuine sports persons. In case my services are required in this connection, I would always be available," the letter said.

The discrepancy was evident as "while the list of awardees shows many non-deserving sportspersons, there is a long list of deserving sportspersons who had not been considered till today," Milkha Singh said.

"The regard and love I have received from my countrymen here and abroad is the highest award, which I can never forget. The lifetime achievement award should have been given in the real sense and not in form of Arjuna Award," he said.

"After Padmashree in 1958, Arjuna Award in 2001 looks as if the government is trying to give me a matric certificate after an M A degree. The Arjuna Award, least to say, could have been given to me in 1961 when it was instituted," he said.

Asked if he would be happy if he was nominated as member of Rajya Sabha as part of life time achievement award, he said, "Milkha Singh is not fit for this job" adding in a light vein "as a sports minister probably I could clear the mess".


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...t_id=811022847

[karuna]

NDA Government has committed too many goof-ups. But this would go down as the Crowning Jewel of all goof-ups.

[shahenshah]

Originally posted by echarcha


"I am against this award itself and the way it is awarded", he said.

He claimed politicians and ministers recommended names for grant of Awards which were supposed to be given to those who won medals at international events including Asian Games and Olympics.

"Even the Prime Minister's Office makes recommendation of names", the Flying Sikh alleged.

In his letter, Milkha Singh thanked the Centre for including his name, adding "it would have been appreciable, if a new-named higher award had been instituted, keeping in view my achievements, which had not been brought to your kind notice".

.

"In view of above achievements, clubbing me with sportspersons who are nowhere to the level that I had achieved is not desirable. My sportspersons friends in India and abroad are all strongly concerned and they are justified because I had already been honoured with Padamshree immediately after my achievement in 1958", he said.

The athlete also held Bharti responsible for lowering the prestige of Arjuna Awards by giving them to undeserving individuals but put maximum blame on officials and the committee which selects the awardees.

True this might jolt the SAI and the govt.?But for how long??What guarantees that the higher award-system Milkha suggests will not be plagued by the same disease??While many 'undeserving' athletes may have been awarded Arjuna Awards I do not see the award would have 'lowered' his place..not so in my eyes..he his great in spite of any award ..he won his awards thru his performances..these conferrments by the Govt etc are mere decorations..
so his denial is fine if that exposes another set of irregularities..
also i do not know if this is an NDA only problem or with all govts and govt run awards..

[Napolean]

Originally posted by karuna
NDA Government has committed too many goof-ups. But this would go down as the Crowning Jewel of all goof-ups.

At least NDA govt. thought abt giving the award...previous govt. didn't even think abt it...He stopped sprinting many yrs back...

[vivek_lahoti]

Originally posted by karuna
NDA Government has committed too many goof-ups. But this would go down as the Crowning Jewel of all goof-ups.

PLZZZ,
it seems NDA govt goofed it up.
if u are an ignoramous, dont have to show it here.

anyways, as for milkha singh not accepting the award, i personally feel, theer are newer atheletes who need encouragement.
i mean, as for milkha singh, he has had his time, he is an EX athelete. for his acchievements, he was awarded the padmashri already. he doesnt need arjuna award.

this award should have insted gone to some newer player who needs encouragement and recognition.

i personally am happy for milkha singh not accepting the award but not for the reason he stated, it seems he felt he was grouped with lower level players.
but i am happy because, the award should go to someone who needs encouragement.

someone like dhanraj pillay, poor chap, plays hockey so well, but not many people watch hockey. not very encouraging.
besides, as far as olympics is concerned, when we want a medal, we always look towards hockey. so why not encourage it. afterall its our national sport.

[aryaputra]

not bad if he has made good money.....or else he just missed increasing his bank balance.........and become another Dhyanchand

[Big-G]

Right as well as wrong.
Right about award being given to 'recommended' people.

Wrong cos he considers coming 4th as a very great achievement.

Tabhi saalaa, apna kuchh hota hain... satisfaction level bahut neechey hai.

[khopdi]

Originally posted by Big-G
... satisfaction level bahut neechey hai.

shaale shatishfacshun level ko baaju main shide kar do

[Indian]

Good job done ..Milkha Singh

[karuna]

Originally posted by Napolean


At least NDA govt. thought abt giving the award...previous govt. didn't even think abt it...He stopped sprinting many yrs back...

Previous Govt already had given Padma Shri in 1959.

[karuna]

Originally posted by vivek_lahoti


if u are an ignoramous

FYI, Uma Bharti has already owned up being an ignoramus.

The shameless NDA Govt. should apologise and offer him Padma Vibushan.

[Napolean]

Originally posted by karuna
Previous Govt already had given Padma Shri in 1959.

That was long long back...but that has happened with many sportspersons......

[karuna]

Originally posted by Napolean


That was long long back...but that has happened with many sportspersons......

Can you give us names of a few sportspersons who were offered Arjuna award long long after being given PadmaShri?

[Napolean]

Originally posted by karuna
Can you give us names of a few sportspersons who were offered Arjuna award long long after being given PadmaShri?

You got me wrong....i meant govt's indifference towards players for a long time...

[Indian]

Originally posted by Napolean


You got me wrong....i meant govt's indifference towards players for a long time...

yes...but this cannot be a execuse ..for government/authorities being irrational and irresponsible. And we should not even tolerate this any more.

How long will it continue ?

There would have been no issue at all ..if governement did not even plan to give this arjuna award . These are the moments when our government babus corruption and irrational acts come out.

I am 100% in agreement with Milkha's attitude & response.
Some times government & authorities need to be kicked on the butt to realise what they are and what are their responsibilities.
Milkha has done that(kicking govt butt)