%2Fsportzpoint%2Fpost_banners%2F80f1b0b95f2913a1f75703c722ad352f35d23378a4699fd6e7f8bb063946065c.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Tokyo Paralympics Gold Medalist Pramod Bhagat received the prestigious Padma Shri on 28 March 2022. President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the country's fourth-highest civilian award to him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He feels that the government's appreciation will encourage the youth and young athletes.
In an interview post the ward ceremony, Pramod Bhagat shared, "I'm extremely happy to be honored with the biggest civilian award, Padma Shri. India had won 19 medals including 5 gold medals in the Paralympics. The government has appreciated our achievements, this will motivate the young athletes in India."
The ace shuttler is now the first para-badminton athlete to receive the prestigious Padma Shri Award. He also received Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in October 2021.