राजीव गांधी खेल रत्न पुरस्कार/मेजर ध्यान चंद्र पुरस्कार।(Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award/Major Dhyan Chand Chand Award)
खेलों में उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन करने वाले खिलाड़ियों को भारत सरकार द्वारा सर्वोच्च राष्ट्रीय खेल पुरस्कार राजीव गांधी खेल रत्न पुरस्कार दिया जाता है (The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, officially now as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in sport and games is the highest spotting hono honour of the the republic of India. The award is named after Rajiv Gandhi former prime minister of India how how served the the office from 1984 to 1989) इस पुरस्कार की शुरुआत 1991 से 1992 में हुई। अंग्रेजी में खेल रत्न को 'Sport Gem' कहा जाता है और यह दोनों शब्द भारत के भूतपूर्व प्रधानमंत्री स्वर्गीय राजीव गांधी के बाद लिखे जाते हैं। इस पुरस्कार में 7.50 लाख रुपए की धनराशि दी जाती है इसका वितरण राष्ट्रपति के हाथों से राष्ट्रीय खेल दिवस (29 अगस्त) को दिया जाता है पहले इस पुरस्कार की धनराशि 50 लाख थी जिसे 2005 में बढ़ाकर 7.50 लाख कर दिया गया।
Who is Major Dhyan Chand?
Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand is hailed as one of the greatest ever field hockey players of all time. He scored more than 740 goals in international matches, an amazing haul that included an Olympic gold in 1936 and another in 1948, and then a Paralympic gold in 1952.
The story of his career is depicted in the movie ‘Chand’, directed by Govind Nihalani. Chand had been studying medicine in Patiala when he switched to hockey at the age of 19.
He led India’s hockey team to Olympic gold in 1928, 1932, 1936, and 1948. The honor of captaining the country to another gold came in 1936 when he led the Indian team that defeated the Dutch.
Chand scored a record 34 goals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, at a time when teams played only two-five minutes each quarter.
What is the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for?
The award is conferred on sportspersons from the public as well as government-aided institutions. For sportspersons from government-aided institutions, the award is considered a postgraduate fellowship award. However, the sportsperson needs to give a request to the Sports Authority of India to use the postgraduate fellowship award as the course fee in order to apply for the fellowship. The postgraduate fellowship award is given to the sportsperson as a part of the Khel Ratna Award.
How to apply for Khel Ratna Award
If the player wishes to use the postgraduate fellowship award of Khel Ratna as the course fee for Khel Ratna, then he or she needs to send a request to the authority.
Why has it been renamed to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award?
The Government of India under the new ruling dispensation is keen to make sports a top priority in India and recent awardees prove the same. In June this year, the Indian Football Team won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup under the guidance of Head Coach Luis Norton de Matos.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Hockey Legend Dalip Singh Rana has also been awarded the Bharat Ratna. A school in Jammu & Kashmir’s Akhnoor district in Jammu & Kashmir was renamed after him. The school's name was changed to Dalip College, the official residence of Mr. Dalip Singh Rana.
Dalip Singh Rana is the founder of modern Indian hockey. He was also a two-time Olympic gold medallist, having competed in the 1920 and 1924 Olympics.
What does this mean for future winners of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has been a big name in the Indian sporting world. The award has been bestowed on many of the best players India has produced over the years. This name change has brought all future winners under one umbrella. So, players will not have to worry about confusing the names of the awards, as they will now be mentioned as one.
However, there are a few other accolades that are separate from the Khel Ratna Award and will continue to be called by their own names. They include Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and Dhyan Chand Award.
Do other sportspersons have awards named after them?
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the biggest award given in Indian sports.
Conclusion
Dhyan Chand was one of the most accomplished Indian hockey players. He represented India from 1928 to 1956 and was considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
He is considered the person who popularised hockey in the country and was an integral part of India’s first Olympic squad in 1948.
Under his guidance, India won four gold medals at the Olympics. He played for India in 72 international matches and scored a whopping 359 goals.
