Paralympic gold medallist Avani Lekhara on Monday was conferred with the Padma Shri award, in the field of sports.
Avani scripted history last year as she became the first Indian woman to win a gold at the Paralympics, firing her way to the top of the podium in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing (SH1) in Tokyo.
The 19-year-old from Jaipur, who sustained spinal cord injuries in a car accident in 2012, finished with a world record equalling score of 249.6, which also became a new Paralympic record.
Avani received her prestigious award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a ceremony today.
Honoured and grateful to be awarded the Padma Shri. This award is a testament to not only my efforts, but the sacrifices of my family and the support of everyone involved in my career helping me achieve all I have. I look forward to representing the country with the same passion! https://t.co/Y7FgPKBLlU
— Avani Lekhara अवनी लेखरा (@AvaniLekhara) March 21, 2022
The Padma awards are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards are given in various disciplines and fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhavan usually around March/ April every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees.
