Narain Karthikeyan becomes the first Indian Motorsportsman to be awarded the prestigious Padma Shri title.
It's a proud day for Indian Motorsports. For the first time in the history of this country, a man who has excelled beyond any other in motorsports has been awarded the Padma Shri - a prestigious title awarded to Indians who have not only brought glory to their fields but also to their country. Narain Karthikeyan has been bestowed this title on the occasion of the Republic Day. 'I feel deeply honoured and humbled after being named by this award,' said Karthikeyan.
But the award that Narain Karthikeyan received is more than just a personal achievement. 81 others were bestowed the title but as has been the norm for the past years, recipients of the award have always been outstanding achievers from the fields of films, music, business and sports like cricket and hockey, etc. Motorsport has always taken a back seat in the Indian sporting world but the fact that its importance has grown many-fold over the last decade or so is evident from Narain?s award. The Nation has acknowledged his success and with it the upliftment and hope Narain has brought to many youngsters aspiring to make it big in the Motorsports world.
From a career that saw him race as a 16-year old driver in the National Racing Championship in 1993, Narain has gone a long way to become India?s first Formula 1 driver when he drove for Jordan in 2005. His contribution and varied success in the A1 GP thereafter has been compelling. Narain joined the International Motorsports scene when he stepped in to race in the British Formula Ford Winter Season in 1994. Congratulations, Padma Shri Narain Karthikeyan!
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