Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, has recommended Olympic medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu for this year’s Arjuna Award, urging Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to consider her nomination.
In a letter addressed to the Sports Minister, Jadhav highlighted Chanu’s outstanding achievements in international weightlifting and described her as one of India’s most accomplished athletes.
He highlighted Chanu’s remarkable record of winning gold medals at successive editions of the Commonwealth Games and her distinction of being the athlete who won India’s first gold medal on each of these occasions.
Jadhav also noted Chanu’s exceptional performances in the 48 kg category, including her record-breaking lifts in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift events.
While noting that Chanu has already received some of the country’s highest sporting honours, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and the Padma Shri, besides winning an Olympic medal, the Minister said her long-cherished dream of receiving the Arjuna Award remains unfulfilled.
Jadhav said Chanu had aspired to win the Arjuna Award since her early days of training in her village in Manipur, making the recognition particularly significant in her sporting journey.
Recommending her nomination, the Minister said conferring the Arjuna Award on Chanu would be a fitting recognition of her exceptional talent, consistent international success and invaluable contribution to Indian sports.
He also described Chanu’s journey from a small village in Manipur to becoming one of India’s most celebrated weightlifters as a story of determination, perseverance and dedication that continues to inspire millions of young athletes across the country.
