Palak Sharma, a young diver hailing from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has been making waves in the world of sports since the age of 8. Now, at the age of 16, she has earned recognition not only in her state but across the country for her outstanding talent in diving. Recently, she was honored with the prestigious Madhya Pradesh Eklavya Award by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. This award is one of the state-level honours given to exceptional athletes in Madhya Pradesh.
The Madhya Pradesh Sports Awards include various categories such as the Eklavya Award, Vikram Award, Vishwamitra Award, Late Prabhash Joshi Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award. In a recent ceremony held at the martial arts auditorium of Tatya Tope Stadium, Bhopal, 47 athletes and sports personalities were recognized and felicitated by the Chief Minister and the state government. The ceremony was attended by National Sports cum Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur.
Palak Sharma received the Madhya Pradesh Eklavya Award for the year 2022, along with a citation, a medal, and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. Despite her young age, Palak has made a significant impact in the field of sports. She has represented India at international events, including the Asian Age Group Championship 2019, where she won one gold and two silver medals in the finals.
Her list of achievements includes numerous medals at the national level, such as 2 gold and 1 silver in sub-junior nationals, 9 gold in junior nationals, 4 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze in senior nationals, 2 silver in national games, 6 gold in SGFI (School Games Federation of India), and 4 gold in RIP (Rajasthan Invitation Premier).
Palak Sharma has also excelled at the international level, earning one gold and two silver medals in the 10th Asian Age Group Championship. Her list of awards and honors includes the Malwa Awards 2019, Prime Minister’s National Children’s Award 2021, Eklavya Award 2022, and Indore Gaurav Award 2023.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Palak Sharma serves as the brand ambassador for the Prime Minister’s ambitious projects, “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) and “Safe City Indore,” showcasing her commitment to social causes and community development. Her dedication and talent continue to inspire many.
Keerti Kadam
