Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha, who used to play for Bengal before moving to the Tripura state team, received West Bengal's highest civilian honour, the 'Banga Bibhushan' award by the government of his home state. Saha, who recently left Bengal due to personal reasons and joined the Tripura domestic cricket team as a player-cum-mentor, was conferred the award by the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee at an event organised at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata.
The Banga Bibhushan awards recognised the excellence of individuals in various fields from art and cinema to sports among others. Along with Saha, three football clubs, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan were also recognised with the Banga Bibhushan award, in addition to hockey player Bharat Chhetri.
Taking to Twitter, Saha shared his gratitude to CM Banerjee and the government of West Bengal for this award. "I am thankful to Hon’ble CM @MamataOfficial Didi, Government of West Bengal and the administration for considering me for this award. I am truly honoured to receive this, I extend my heartfelt gratitude."
According to a report by News18 Bangla, the Chief Minister asked Saha about his decision to leave the Bengal domestic scenario, and the Siliguri-born cricketer said that if an opportunity arises then he will return in the future.
Several other known personalities like singers Kumar Sanu, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Koushiki Chakraborty and Shreyas Ghoshal were among the recipients of the Banga Bibhushan and Banga Bhushan awards 2022. In the past, the likes of Manna Dey, Supriya Devi, Leslie Claudius, and Sourav Ganguly have been conferred the state honour.
West Bengal MP and former Indian cricketer, Manoj Tiwary congratulated his former teammate Saha on receiving the huge honour saying that he thoroughly deserves this moment and has been a very special human being and a cricketer.
Congratulations @Wriddhipops on getting the prestigious Banga Bhushan Samman from the Honourable Government of West Bengal. Playing with you has always been a pleasure and you thoroughly deserve this moment.”
“You have always been a special cricketer & a very special human being! Cheers brother!” Tiwary further wrote.
