Mohammed Shami nominated for Arjuna Award, Satwik-Chirag for Khel Ratna
New Delhi, Dec 13: Pacer Mohammed Shami, one of the architects of India's near successful World Cup campaign, has been nominated for this year's Arjuna Award, while men's doubles badminton pair of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Shami, 33, had a spectacular run in the ODI World Cup, where India finished second best, losing to Australia in the final.
As per the ministry's sources, a special request was made by the BCCI to the sports ministry to include Shami's name as originally he didn't feature in the list of the country's second-highest sporting honour.
Shami was the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, with 24 wickets to his name in seven outings.
After sitting out of the first four games, Shami shone bright when given the opportunity, claiming 24 wickets at an average of just 5.26.
Besides Shami, 16 other sportspersons have been nominated for the Arjuna Award. They include men's hockey players Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Sushila Chanu, archers Ojas Pravin Deotale and Aditi Gopichand Swami, boxer Mohammad Hussamuddin, chess player R Vaishali, golfer Diksha Dagar, shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, wrestler Antim Panghal and paddler Ayhika Mukherjee among others.
There are five nominations for the Dronacharya Award -- Ganesh Prabhakaran (mallakhamb), Mahavir Saini (para athletics), Lalit Kumar (wrestling), RB Ramesh (chess) and Shivendra Singh (hockey).
Kavita (kabaddi), Manjusha Kanwar (badminton) and Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey) are the nominees for the Dhyan Chand Lifetime award.
Nominees for Sports Awards:
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (badminton).
Arjuna Award: Mohammed Shami (cricket), Ajay Reddy (blind cricket) Ojas Pravin Deotale, Aditi Gopichand Swami (archery), Sheetal Devi (para archery), Parul Chaudhary and M Sreeshankar (athletics), Mohd Hussamuddin (boxing), R Vaishali (chess), Divyakriti Singh and Anush Agarwalla (equestrian), Diksha Dagar (golf), Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Sushila Chanu (hockey), Pinky (lawn ball), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (shooting), Antim Panghal (wrestling), Ayhika Mukherjee (table tennis).
Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award: Kavita (kabaddi), Manjusha Kanwar (badminton)
Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey).
Dronacharya Award: Ganesh Prabhakaran (mallakhamb), Mahavir Saini (para athletics), Lalit Kumar (wrestling), RB Ramesh (chess), Shivendra Singh (hockey).
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UP: Muslim community panchayat in Mathura bans DJs, fireworks at weddings, curbs extravagance
Mathura (UP) (PTI): A Muslim community panchayat in Mathura district has taken a unique decision to curb extravagance and unnecessary rituals during weddings, imposing a fine of Rs 11,000 and social boycott on families found violating the norms, community leaders said on Monday.
The decision was taken unanimously at a panchayat organised by the Eidgah Committee in Kosi Kalan town on Friday. The meeting was held at a sarai in the Nikasa locality.
Committee president Moinuddin Gadsania and vice-president Haji Sadiq said the panchayat resolved that no Muslim family would organise a nikah ceremony at hotels, guest houses or marriage halls. The nikah will be solemnised only in mosques, while the walima (post-marriage feast) may be held at hotels or other venues.
They said the use of DJs during weddings has been completely banned. If the rule is violated, no imam or qazi in the town will perform the nikah ceremony.
The practice of presenting gifts or cash to the groom as part of the 'salami' ritual has also been prohibited. Other forms of ostentation, including fireworks and wasteful customs, have similarly been barred.
The ban on DJs will apply even if a wedding procession travels to another town, the panchayat clarified. Members said loud music and dancing at weddings often lead to disputes, disturbing social harmony and unity.
The panchayat further decided that violators of the rules would face a fine of Rs 11,000 along with social boycott. The committee said it would also try to implement similar decisions in other villages and communities.
Community elders said the objective of the decision was to check rising wedding expenses, curb social evils, prevent disputes during marriage functions and reduce the financial burden on families, especially the younger generation.
A large number of prominent community members, including the committee secretary, Mehraraj Qureshi, were present at the panchayat.
