By BV Swagath
The BCCI has recommended the names of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir for this year’s Padma Awards to the Government of India. The Padma Awards are given by the President of India during the Republic Day every year on the 26th of January.
Former India Captain Rahul Dravid has been recommended for the Padma Bhushan award. The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award given by the Government of India. Rahul Dravid in the past had been given the Arjuna Award in 1998 and the Padma Shri award in 2004.
Southpaw Gautam Gambhir on the other hand has been recommended by the BCCI for the Padma Shri award. The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in India. Gautam Gambhir has been a consistent performer for India in all the three formats of the game. His biggest achievement so far has been to win the ICC Test Player of the Year in 2009. In the same year 2009, Gautam Gambhir was honoured with the Arjuna Award by the Government of India.