Saumik Dey (from left), Abani Bose, Samaresh Chowdhury and Arun Ghosh at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, on Thursday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta: Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee wants legendary footballer Arun Ghosh to be awarded with the prestigious Padma Shri.

Speaking during East Bengal’s 94th Foundation Day function, at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on Thursday, Chatterjee said: “Arun Ghosh deserves a Padma Shri. I would want East Bengal officials to pitch in for him.

“I have retired from politics, but I will help the club in whichever way they would want me to in this regard.”

Ghosh was presented with the Bharat Gaurav award and Rs 2 lakh by East Bengal, while Chatterjee, an avid Mohun Bagan fan, inaugurated the programme. Samaresh Chowdhury and Abani Bose got the lifetime achievement awards and Rs 1 lakh each, while Saumik Dey got the Player of the Year award and Rs 50,000.

“It’s a great feeling to be in East Bengal… Throughout my life, I have been a Bagan fan and I was pleasantly surprised when I got an invitation to inaugurate the function. I am thankful to the officials,” Chatterjee added.

Ghosh, too, was emotional. “I spent three years (1960-62) in this club. This club has something unique.

“The officials and the fans are very emotional and that rubs on to the players. I had a fantastic stint ,” the former India captain said.

A legend in his own rights, Samaresh too found it difficult to control his emotions. “Pardon me for getting emotional… I never expected something like this. Some four thousand people turning up to see the Foundation Day function is truly unbelievable.

“We have been waiting for an I-League title since long. I am confident that under new coach (Marcos Falopa), we will regain the title.

“People say our generation produced better footballers. I do not agree with that… This generation also is doing a good job. It’s just that football world-wide has improved by leaps and bound.”

The loudest cheer from the crowd was reserved for Saumik. There was a deafening roar as his name was announced, with captain Mehtab Hussain too accompanying him to the dais.

“Amazing! I think I got the biggest cheers even when legends like Arun Sir and Pintu Sir are on the dais. This award is in recognition of my hard work.

“I will strive to do even better this season,” he said.

Former referees Milan Datta and Chittaranjan Das Majumder were also felicitated for their contribution to the game.