Dhoni receives Padma Shri award in Ranchi - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Indian cricket team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the scroll and medal of Padma Shri, country's fourth highest civilian award, here on Tuesday. Shiv Basant, Chief Secretary of Jharkhand presented the award to him at a formal event at the state secretariat here. Dhoni, who was to receive the award from the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil earlier this year, had missed the awards presentation ceremony in New Delhi. After presenting the award, Shiv Basant wished Dhoni all success. "He has done India proud. All the best wishes to him...continue to lead the team and do well. It is a great achievement for him, for the country and for the state," he said. Dhoni had faced much criticism for missing the award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was said that his absence had hurt the sentiments of cricket fans.