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Number Theory: The changing profiles of Arjuna Awards
As per the 2018 guidelines for the Arjuna Awards, 15 awards in a year was the norm, which can be eased for team sports
Updated on: Jan 13, 2024, 14:35:37 IST
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The defining image of the 2023 Arjuna Awards, presented earlier this week, was that of archer Sheetal Devi receiving her award from President Droupadi Murmu. Born without upper limbs, Sheetal Devi won two gold medals and a silver medal at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, using her legs. In a sense, she epitomises how the country’s second-highest sporting awards have evolved since being instituted in 1961.
Four things stand out. One, more Arjuna Awards are being given out. Two, the share of women sportspersons receiving these awards is increasing. Three, para sportspersons such as Sheetal Devi are being awarded as a norm. Four, the share of traditionally popular sports such as hockey, cricket and athletics in the Arjuna Awards is reducing, as India diversifies its success in sports at multilateral events.
More awards
More awardsOverall, India has been on a rising trajectory in sport. As a result, a greater number of sporting achievements at the international level, especially in multi-country events such as the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, are claiming recognition. As per the 2018 guidelines for the Arjuna Awards, 15 awards in a year was the norm, which can be eased for team sports. However, this can be eased further in the context of performance in the three premier multilateral events mentioned above, subject to approval by the minister for youth affairs and sports. Thus, in the four years beginning 2020, the number of Arjuna Awards given has ranged between 25 and 35. Previously, some of the years when the counts spiked were 1965 (the Indian expedition that scaled Mount Everest), 1982 (New Delhi Asian Games) and 2000 (when several lifetime contribution awards were given). The highest ever was 35 in 2021, including 16 for the men’s hockey team that won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
Women on the move
- Women on the moveThe last four years, which also coincide with India’s best showing at the Asian Games, have set a new precedent for the number of Arjuna Awards given out. This is also a period where women sportspersons have recorded their highest share in the Arjuna Awards at 39%. In the 1960s, only 9% of the Arjuna Awards given out went to women. In the 1980s, this rose to 31%, but dropped again to 18% in the 1990s, which was a low-return period for Indian sport in general in multilateral events. In the three decadal periods since the share of women in the Arjuna Awards has always exceeded 30%. This is partly the result of this being enshrined in the guidelines, backed by stupendous performances by Indian sportswomen. “Adequate representation would be insured for physically challenged and women”, says the revised 2018 guidelines for Arjuna Awards. In 2023, of the 26 Arjuna Awards given, 15 were awarded to women or a share of 58%.
Sporting diversificamtion
- Sporting diversificamtionOver their 62-year history, Arjuna Awards have been given in 56 sports — from mainstream, spectator sports such as hockey and cricket to less mainstream ones such as mountaineering. When it comes to representation by sports, hockey and athletics stand a cut above, accounting for 11% each of the total 982 awards given out since 1961. Hockey being a team sport is one reason for its high share, the other being India’s prolific success in the 1960s and 1970s. Following hockey and athletics is cricket, which is the only sport in India that is a true and sustained commercial success. Thus, it has needed national awards such as these far less than other sports have. That’s a consideration that is going into the Arjuna Awards. Also, the institution of the Khel Ratna awards in 1991-92 as the highest sporting honour, superseding the Arjuna Awards, has ensured that the most successful Indian cricketers—Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Mithali Raj—are still recognised by the government.
Climbing the ranks
- Climbing the ranksAnother change instituted in the Arjuna Awards, in 1995, was the recognition to para sportspersons. Overall, para sportspersons account for about 5% of the Arjuna Awards given, but this also covers a large period when they were not in the mix. They are now in the mix. Thus, for example, in the last four years, 11% of the Arjuna Awards have gone to para sportspersons. Similarly, sports that have gained stature in the last two decades and where Indian sportspersons have won laurels on the international stage are seeing greater representation in the awards. Notable among these are shooting, wrestling, boxing, badminton and archery. Each of these five sports has improved its share in the Arjuna Awards in the last four years, as compared to their overall share since 1961. A broader, diversified, more thoughtful base for these awards can only augur well for Indian sport.
