Sports & Awards
Bihar GK · खेल और पुरस्कार
📋Quick Overview
Bihar has produced several nationally and globally recognized achievers across arts, music, sports, and public life. Ustad Bismillah Khan (Shehnai, Bharat Ratna), Rajendra Prasad (India's first President), and Jayaprakash Narayan (Bharat Ratna) are Bihar's most celebrated sons. In sports, Bihar is gradually developing infrastructure through the Bihar Sports Academy and police sports quota.
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Ustad Bismillah Khan played Shehnai at India's first Independence Day ceremony on August 15, 1947 at the Red Fort, Delhi. He continued to play at Red Fort every Independence Day for decades. He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 2001 — the highest civilian honor in India.
📖Bharat Ratna Recipients from Bihar
| Name | Field | Bihar Connection | Bharat Ratna Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajendra Prasad | Politics/Statesman | Born Zeradei, Siwan, Bihar; India's 1st President | 1962 |
| Jayaprakash Narayan | Freedom fighter/Socialist | Born Sitabdiara, Saran; Loknayak; JP Movement 1974 | 1999 (posthumous) |
| Ustad Bismillah Khan | Classical Music (Shehnai) | Born Dumraon, Buxar, Bihar; revolutionized Shehnai music | 2001 |
📖Notable Achievers from Bihar
| Name | Field | Achievement | Bihar Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharda Sinha | Folk Music | Padma Bhushan 2018; 'Bihar Kokila'; Chhath songs, Vivah Geet | Born Supaul, Bihar |
| Aryabhata | Mathematics/Astronomy | Zero concept, Pi calculation, heliocentric theory (476 CE) | Born Pataliputra (Patna) |
| Chandragupta Maurya | Empire Building | Founded India's first major empire (321 BCE) | Pataliputra capital |
| Bhikhari Thakur | Folk Theatre | 'Bhojpuri Shakespeare'; Bidesia folk drama; social reformer | Born Chapra (Saran), Bihar |
| Veer Kunwar Singh | 1857 War | Led 1857 revolt at 80 — Jagdishpur (Bhojpur) | Born Jagdishpur, Bhojpur, Bihar |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali | Cricket (Admin) | Born Patna; BCCI president; Mushtaq Ali Trophy named after him |
📖Sports Infrastructure in Bihar
- •Moin-ul-Haq Stadium (Patna): Bihar's main international cricket ground — hosted Ranji Trophy, IPL matches.
- •Bihar Sports Academy (Patna): Developed to identify and train young athletes from Bihar.
- •Bihar Cricket Association: Affiliated to BCCI; Bihar team plays in Ranji Trophy.
- •Bihar Police Sports: Bihar Police provides sports quota — many national-level players serve in police.
📝Padma Award Winners from Bihar
- •Ustad Bismillah Khan: Padma Shri (1961), Padma Bhushan (1968), Padma Vibhushan (1980), Bharat Ratna (2001).
- •Sharda Sinha: Padma Shri (1991), Padma Bhushan (2018) — 'Bihar Kokila'.
- •Rajendra Prasad: Bharat Ratna (1962) — India's first President.
- •JP Narayan: Bharat Ratna (1999, posthumous) — 'Loknayak'.