Major Dhyan Chand's son says, 'will not beg for Bharat Ratna'

Major Dhyan Chand helped India win many laurels and dominated the world of hockey from the late 1920s. Major Dhyan Chand helped India win Olympic gold medal thrice – 1928, 1932, 1936. His birthday, August 29 is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India.

Dhyan Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan – India’s third highest civilian award in 1956, for his contribution in the field of sports. But Dhyan Chand’s family is still waiting for the legendary hockey player to be awarded India’s highest civilian award – Bharat Ratna.

Even Sachin Tendulkar got Bharat Ratna in 2014, the former Indian cricketer has also won Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan.

“Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had signed on the files and subsequently we were informed by the then Sports Minister that Dada (Dhyan Chand) would be conferred with Bharat Ratna,” Ashok Kumar, Dhyan Chand’s son and former hockey player said.

“However, the decision was later deferred. By doing so, the government did not humiliate us ... it humiliated a national icon,” Ashok Kumar was quoted as saying by IANS.

“It is now for the government to decide and judge, whether they feel that Dhyan Chand deserves a Bharat Ratna.”

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