I M Vijayan wears 'mundu', goes barefoot to receive his ‘delayed’ Padma Shri
Legendary footballer I M Vijayan finally received his first Padma Award at the age of 56.
Legendary footballer I M Vijayan finally received his first Padma Award at the age of 56.
Legendary footballer I M Vijayan finally received his first Padma Award at the age of 56.
I M Vijayan was simplicity personified on Wednesday as he received a much-delayed Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The legendary footballer didn't overdress for the occasion, nor did he choose anything fancy. He wore a simple shirt and a white mundu and walked barefoot on the red carpet to collect India's fourth-highest civilian award.
For football fans, it is hard to imagine Vijayan without his football boots. Even at 56, the iconic striker, who hasn't yet officially retired, can strike a football better than most youngsters.
In a storied career that spanned nearly two decades, Vijayan helped India win three SAFF Championships, among other titles and decorated the trophy cabinets of several prominent clubs in the country.
But Vijayan always received recognition late. He received the Arjuna Award in 2003, when his long playing days were almost over. In 2010, the All India Football Federation nominated Vijayan for the Padma Shri, but he did not get it.
Vijayan has often talked about playing barefoot at Kolothumpadam in Thrissur while his mother did menial jobs to feed the family. A villager gifted Vijayan his first boots when he was selected for a local football camp.
Perhaps choosing to go barefoot to receive an honour he deserved to get much earlier was Vijayan's way of honouring his humble beginnings. Well played, Vijayan.