What Happened to Bula Chowdhury's Stolen Padma Shri Award?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, the Padma Shri award of celebrated swimmer Bula Chowdhury has been stolen from her ancestral home. With a history of theft attempts at this location, the incident raises serious questions about safety measures for valuable accolades. Chowdhury's emotional response highlights the gravity of the situation.
Key Takeaways
- The Padma Shri award of Bula Chowdhury has been stolen.
- Hind-Motor in Hooghly district is her ancestral home.
- Multiple robbery attempts have occurred in the past.
- Police have initiated an investigation into the theft.
- Chowdhury seeks accountability from local authorities.
Kolkata, Aug 15 (NationPress) The prestigious Padma Shri award belonging to the renowned Indian swimmer, Bula Chowdhury, who is also an Arjuna Award recipient, has been taken from her ancestral home located in Hind-Motor, a town in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, on Friday.
While Chowdhury, a former CPI(M) legislator during the years 2011 and 2026, currently resides in Kasba, South Kolkata, she had kept her collection of awards, trophies, and medals from her swimming career at her ancestral residence in Hind-Motor.
She frequently visited her ancestral home to check on the condition of her displayed accolades. Upon her latest visit on Friday, she discovered that her Padma Shri award shield was absent from its display location.
Further investigation revealed that additional awards, trophies, and medals were also missing.
Milan Chowdhury, Bula's brother who lives at the Hind-Motor residence, reported that there had been three previous robbery attempts at their home.
“Each time, police reports were filed, and investigations were conducted. However, the attempts continued. A police presence was briefly established, only to be removed after a while,” he said.
Arnab Biswas, Deputy Commissioner of the Chandernagore Police Station, which oversees Hind-Motor, confirmed that a total of 10 medals and shields had been stolen. “Preliminary assessments suggest that most stolen items were crafted from gold. We have initiated a comprehensive investigation into this incident,” Biswas stated.
Upon learning of the theft, Bula Chowdhury hurried back to her Hind-Motor residence from Kolkata.
After arriving, she was overcome with emotion and criticized the police for failing to provide adequate security for a residence housing such valuable awards.
“I earned those medals through immense effort and determination. Now, the majority have been taken from me. I ask Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, why didn’t the police prevent this robbery?” Chowdhury expressed.
Point of View
It is imperative to address this distressing incident concerning Bula Chowdhury, a respected figure in Indian sports. The theft of her Padma Shri award not only represents a personal loss but also reflects broader issues of safety and security for public figures. It is vital that authorities take stringent measures to protect the legacies of our athletes.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What awards were stolen from Bula Chowdhury?
Bula Chowdhury reported that a total of 10 medals and shields, including her Padma Shri award, were stolen from her ancestral residence.
Where is Bula Chowdhury's ancestral home located?
Her ancestral home is located in Hind-Motor, a town in the Hooghly district of West Bengal.
How has Bula Chowdhury reacted to the theft?
Bula Chowdhury expressed profound distress and criticized the police for inadequate security measures at her residence.
What previous incidents have occurred at the residence?
There have been three previous robbery attempts at her Hind-Motor residence.
What is the ongoing response from the police?
The Chandernagore Police Station has commenced a thorough investigation into the theft and is assessing the stolen items.
