The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting award in India, presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The award was established in 1991 and is named after Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India.
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award recognizes outstanding achievements in sports by an individual or a team over a period of four years. The award is given for exceptional performance in sports, including Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships, among others.
The selection process for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is done by a committee appointed by the Government of India. The committee considers the nominations received from various sources and selects the deserving candidates based on their achievements in sports over the previous four years.
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award consists of a medal, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakhs. The award is presented on the occasion of National Sports Day, which falls on August 29.
Over the years, many prominent athletes from India have been conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for their outstanding achievements in sports. Some of the notable recipients of the award include Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket), Saina Nehwal (Badminton), Virat Kohli (Cricket), and P. V. Sindhu (Badminton).
In conclusion, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting award in India, presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in sports by an individual or a team over a period of four years. The selection process involves a committee appointed by the Government of India, and the award consists of a medal, a citation, and a cash prize. The award is presented on the occasion of National Sports Day, which falls on August 29.