It was a long time coming, over three decades to be precise, but for 88-year-old OM Nambiar, the man who nurtured one of India’s greatest athletes in PT Usha, the announcement of his name in the list of this year’s Padma Shri awardees is a case of “better late than never”.
“I feel very happy for this award though it could have been many years back. Still, I am happy. Better late than never,” Nambiar, who is battling the Parkinson’s disease, told PTI in an interaction from his home in Kozikhode.
Usha was conferred the Padma Shri in 1985 while Nambiar, presented the Dronacharya that year, had to wait for another 36 years before the nation’s fourth-highest civilian honour came his way.
His affliction will, however, not allow him to receive the honour in person when the President gives it away at the Rashtrapati Bhawan later. But that’s not lessened his joy.
“Every medal won by my trainees gives me immense satisfaction. I consider my Dronacharya Award, Best…