Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced renaming the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the Maharashtra government with Congress in alliance announced a new IT excellence award in the former PM’s name.
Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a new award named after Rajiv Gandhi to felicitate companies and institutions for excellence in the IT sector.
Satej Patil Minister of State for Information and Technology took to Twitter to inform that the award will be given every year on August 20, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.
“As the Minister of State for IT, Maharashtra, it fills my heart with pride to announce that MVA Govt. has declared an award on 20th August 2021 in the name of Late Shri. Rajiv Gandhi Ji to encourage organizations excelling in the IT sector in Maharashtra,” read his Tweet.
https://twitter.com/satejp/status/1425124035180916736?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwPatil in his Tweet claimed that the award will be a tribute to Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to the technology sector. “The award will be a lasting tribute to Late Shri Rajiv Ji for his pioneering work in the technology sector in India,” he said in the Tweet.
Netizens, however, mocked the move and criticized the state government for naming yet another award in the name of the Gandhi’s.
One netizen suggested renaming the state of Maharashtra.
https://twitter.com/Maratha81189584/status/1425158619348176896?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwWhile another user recommended renaming the technological software and programs after the former Prime Minister.
https://twitter.com/lavkeshjain/status/1425143097470570498?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwSena opposed renaming of Khel Ratna award
Shiv Sena- a wheel in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was not pleased with PM Modi renaming the Khel Ratna award after legendary player Major Dhyan Chand. Sena in its mouthpiece Saamna on Monday claimed that the Centre’s decision to rename the Rajiv Gandhi was a ‘political game’ and not the people’s wish.
Taking a potshot at the obvious, Sena questioned PM Modi’s contribution to cricket to have a stadium named after him. “Major Dhyan Chand could have been honored without insulting Rajiv Gandhi’s sacrifice. But, the country has lost such tradition and culture. It would have made Dhyan Chand sad in heaven,” said the Sena.