Former Indian Captain IM Vijayan has been recommended for fourth highest civilian award in India, the Padmashri by the All India Football Federation. He won the Arjuna award in 2003. Also, in 1993, 1997 and in 1999 he was awarded the best Indian “Player of the year”.
Vijayan is credited to scored one of the fastest international goals, managing to the back of the net in just 12 seconds in a match against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF games.
Padmashri is the fourth highest civilian award in India. The other three highest civilian awards include Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan .The Padma Awards are being awarded to the citizens since 1954. The awards are being presented under the categories such as medicine, education, sports,literature, industry, public affairs, social service. As of 2020, around 3,123 people have received the award. The awards are presented by the President of India during Republic Day celebrations of the country.
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