2007 माइथायाव, बिथांखौ भारतनि नैथि देरसिन नोगोरारि बान्था, पद्म विभूषणजों मान होनाय जादोंमोन, जायनि थाखाय बिथाङा बे बान्थाखौ मोन्नाय गिबिसिन गेलेगिरि जानो हादोंमोन।
In 2007, he was awarded India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, making him the first sportsperson to receive the award.