Engineer first learned of being bestowed with India’s fourth-highest civilian honour in 1973.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer is still awaiting his physical Padma Shri medal and certificate, 53 years after the Government of India officially announced the honour in 1973.
Despite being officially listed as an awardee on the government's Padma Awards portal, the 88-year-old cricketing veteran has never received any formal intimation or an invitation to receive the award.
Engineer first learned of being bestowed with India’s fourth-highest civilian honour from team manager Hemu Adhikari while playing cricket in England in 1973, as it was widely reported in newspapers. However, there has been no official communication from the government to date.
“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. But I have not received any communication or intimation in this regard. I have been waiting to get my award ever since," Engineer told The Indian Express.
“In those days, newspapers were the only source of information. 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," he added.
Over the years, Engineer approached late Union Minister Arun Jaitley. More recently, he reached out to ICC Chairman Jay Shah and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for intervention. Shah has assured him of assistance.
“I didn’t know whom to write to and just waited and waited over the years. (I thought) That someone from the government will call and inform me. I had informed Arun Jaitley ji (former union minister and ex-BCCI vice president) before he passed away. Recently, I wrote to Jay Shah (ICC chair). Last month, he said he will help me. It’s more than 50 years now. I felt why not try again," Engineer said.
The BCCI is reportedly planning to formally write a letter to the government to highlight Engineer's case and resolve the five-decade-long oversight.
Engineer expressed that despite living abroad, he remains an Indian at heart and hopes to finally frame the Padma Shri medal at his home.
“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. 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 remarked.
Farokh Engineer represented India in 46 Tests and 5 ODIs from 1961 to 1975. He scored 2,611 Test runs with two centuries and was instrumental in India's historic 1971 Test series victory on the tour of England.