Chandigarh, 20 June 2026: Indian women's hockey stalwart Ms. Savita is set to receive the prestigious Padma Shri Award at a special investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 23, where President Smt. Droupadi Murmu will confer one of the nation's highest civilian honours.
Ms. Savita, the former captain and the current goalkeeper of the Indian Women's National Field Hockey Team is one of India's most acclaimed sports personalities. With an unprecedented 308 international caps, she is the first Indian woman goalkeeper to achieve this extraordinary milestone, exemplifying enduring resilience, skill, and commitment.
Born on 11th July, 1990, Ms. Savita's pivotal role in Indian hockey was prominently highlighted during the Rio Olympics qualification in 2016, where her remarkable performance in penalty shootouts against Italy secured India's first women's hockey Olympic qualification in 36 years. Her exemplary goalkeeping was instrumental in achieving this historic milestone.
Further cementing her legacy, she delivered another groundbreaking performance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Her crucial saves propelled India to a first-ever Olympic semi-final berth, establishing a new benchmark in Indian women's hockey and earning her the revered title "The Great Wall" from the Australian High Commissioner.
As captain from 2021 to 2024, Ms. Savita elevated the team's international competitiveness. Under her leadership, India achieved significant milestones, including medals at major international tournaments such as the Bronze Medal at the 2022 Asian Games, a Bronze Medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games-ending a 16-year podium drought-and a landmark Gold Medal at the FIH Nations Cup 2022. This victory led India to qualify for the elite FIH Pro League 2023-24, firmly establishing the team's global stature.
Beyond Ms. Savita’s stellar on-field achievements, she is deeply committed to social change, particularly in her home state of Haryana. As Brand Ambassador for the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign in Sirsa district, she tirelessly advocates for girls' education, gender equality and youth empowerment. Her active engagement includes motivational speeches, mentorship programmes and distribution of sporting equipment, significantly boosting girls' participation in education and sports, and altering traditional perceptions about gender roles. Her journey, from humble rural beginnings to international prominence, continues to inspire countless aspiring athletes, especially young girls, to pursue their dreams irrespective of societal barriers.
\Ms. Savita’s sustained excellence is also marked by her recognition as the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award winner for three consecutive seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23), an unparalleled feat in Indian hockey history. Domestically, she has been repeatedly honoured by Hockey India, receiving both the Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards multiple times. Her exemplary service and sporting achievements earned her one of India's highest sporting accolades-the prestigious Arjuna Award-in 2018.
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