Lucknow: National Secretary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Anupam Mishra, has demanded that hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand be honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. Marking the occasion at the Shaheed Smarak, Mishra lit a ceremonial lamp and pressed the government to recognize the extraordinary contribution of the “Wizard of Hockey.”
Mishra drew a sharp comparison with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, noting that while the nation showered him with praise and rewards—a rightful recognition—Dhyan Chand, who brought India three Olympic gold medals, continues to be overlooked. “It is ironic that a country which celebrates a single gold medalist so lavishly has forgotten the man who brought it three Olympic golds on his own,” Mishra said.
He recalled how Dhyan Chand elevated India’s sporting prestige on the world stage, narrating an anecdote from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where Adolf Hitler himself came down to meet the Indian maestro, astonished at his skill. After Dhyan Chand effortlessly scored three consecutive goals with a new stick, Hitler reportedly offered him a place in the German Army as a Colonel—an offer Dhyan Chand politely declined.
“Just as Pele is remembered in football and Don Bradman in cricket, Dhyan Chand’s name shines forever in hockey,” Mishra remarked, emphasizing that the Padma Bhushan awarded to Dhyan Chand in 1956 was far below what he truly deserved.
The RLD leader criticized the tendency of governments to quickly honor politicians with the Bharat Ratna, while genuine sporting icons like Dhyan Chand remain neglected. He asserted that conferring the award would not only restore the lost pride of Indian hockey but also enhance the dignity of the Bharat Ratna itself.
“If the nation wishes to truly honor Major Dhyan Chand and protect its sporting pride, it must correct this historic oversight and bestow upon him the Bharat Ratna,” Mishra said.
