Hockey great PR Sreejesh sports traditional Kerala attire as he receives Padma Bhushan

Hockey great P R Sreejesh sported traditional Kerala attire at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday as he received the Padma Bhushan from President Droupadi Murmu. When he received the Padma Shri in 2017, Sreejesh wore a suit for the occasion. But today, he wore a white satin shirt and 'kasavu mundu'.

"A recognition that feels bigger than me. This is for every dreamer who dared to believe," Sreejesh posted after the ceremony. "Grateful to my family, my coaches, my teammates and the people of India who have been my strength. Thank you to everyone who walked this journey with me. This is ours," posted the 36-year-old.

Sreejesh comes from a humble background in the village of Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district. He stays true to his roots despite his sporting successes, which include two Olympic medals, a pair of Asian Games gold and a handful of other international honours.

Sreejesh takes pride in being a Malayali and doesn't miss an opportunity to endorse his culture. Last year, he famously posed in a 'mundu' in front of the Eiffel Tower as he flaunted his Olympic bronze medal.

The now-retired goalkeeper was a key member of the Indian team that bagged a bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and followed it up with another bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sreejesh is only the second Olympic medalist from Kerala after yesteryear hockey player Manuel Frederick, who was part of the Indian team in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Since retiring, Sreejesh has made a spectacular start as a coach. In December, he guided India to the Junior Men's Asia Cup title in Muscat and also helped Junior India to the bronze medal in the Sultan of Johor Cup.