Who was the first athlete to be awarded Padma Shri?
Milka Singh
Answer:(2) Milka Singh
The Indian government has instituted two civilian awards- a three-tier Padma Awards and Bharat Ratna in 1954.
Milkha Singh is a former track and field athlete from Govindpura, Pakistan, who was born on November 20, 1929. Milka Singh is also known as the Flying Sikh, and he was the first person to receive the Padma Shri honour for his achievements in athletics.