More than five decades after his name was announced among the recipients of the Padma Shri, former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer says he is still waiting to receive the prestigious civilian honour.
Engineer, now 88 and settled in England, was informed in 1973 that he had been selected for the Padma Shri. At the time, he was still an active India cricketer and was playing county cricket in England. However, despite being listed among the awardees, Engineer says he never received an official communication from the Government of India or any tangible evidence of the honour.
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“I was playing in England at the time when the award was announced. Our team manager Hemu Adhikari informed me that I was getting the Padma Shri as it was all over the newspapers,” Engineer told The Indian Express.
“But I have not received any communication or intimation in this regard. I have been waiting to get my award ever since,” he added.
Padma Awards Website Lists Engineer As 1973 Recipient
Engineer’s name continues to appear on the official Padma Awards website among the awardees for 1973. However, the circumstances surrounding what happened after the announcement remain unclear.
According to Engineer, newspapers were the primary source of information about such announcements at the time. He said he informed team manager Hemu Adhikari that he had not received any official communication and was told that the government would eventually contact him.
That communication, however, never arrived.
“I told Hemu that I haven’t received any intimation from the Government of India, and he said they will write to me officially. But I have not heard anything till date,” Engineer said.
The former India cricketer has now decided to make another attempt to resolve the long-standing issue. According to a source, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to write to the government in the coming weeks, highlighting Engineer’s claim and seeking clarity on the matter.
Engineer said he had previously raised the issue with former Union minister and former BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley. More recently, he approached Jay Shah, who he said assured him that he would help.
“I didn’t know whom to write to and just waited and waited over the years,” Engineer said. “Recently, I wrote to Jay Shah. Last month, he said he will help me. It’s more than 50 years now. I felt why not try again.”
A Distinguished India Career
Engineer was one of India’s most flamboyant cricketers and represented the country in 46 Tests between 1961 and 1975. Interestingly, he made his Test debut alongside Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi in the 1961 Bombay Test against England, and both players ended their international careers in the same 1975 Test against the West Indies.
Engineer was also regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers of his generation. During the early 1970s, he was selected as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Rest of the World side in matches against England and Australia.
His career made him one of the most recognisable Indian cricketers of his era, and the Padma Shri announcement was seen as recognition of his contribution to Indian sport.
‘I Would Love To Frame It’
For Engineer, receiving the award now would be about much more than completing a decades-old administrative process.
Despite having spent much of his life in England, he says his connection with India remains extremely strong. He hopes that the government will finally resolve the matter and give him the opportunity to formally receive the honour.
“I may be living in England but from the bottom of my heart, I’m an Indian. The award means a lot to me and I would love to frame it,” he said.
Engineer also hopes to attend a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan with his wife and finally receive the recognition that was announced more than 50 years ago.
“I would love to be invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. I would love my wife to come with me and receive that. I am 88 years old now, I hope to receive it soon,” he said.
The Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in fields including sports, arts, medicine, education and social service. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the President of India, a medallion and a miniature replica for ceremonial purposes, but there is no financial reward attached to the honour.
For Engineer, however, the value lies in finally holding the award that he has been waiting for since 1973.
