Bharat Ratna - is it demandable

Bharat Ratna the highest Indian award/recognition given to an individual who excels in his field of activity and contributes to the pride of the country. When you look at the demands being made by one and all it sounds so ludicrous

Up to a point of time this award was only given to people who were in politics and the trend got changed some time in the history where people like Mother Theresa, Abdul Kalam, Lata Mangheskar, Bhismillah Khan and their likes were recognized worthy of this recognition.

When we consider the whys and why not of the selection process shouldn’t we look at what each individual has contributed to the nation building effort. Let’s look at some of the contenders

One is a nation’s foremost statesman, who played a very effective role of a opposition leader and also lead the first full term Non-Congress government at the centre.

Next is a person who has lead the second revolution of the dalit uplifting and in the end days died a very confined death and predominantly unsung except for by his protege, that to more as an after thought.

Another a seasoned poet and a regional leader who was known for his anti-Hindi agitation and today’s pressure politics (His party has enjoyed the power at the centre for over a decade by being with the right alliance), family first policy etc., apart from this he is not known much for national building, he is being pushed by his well wishers for this award.

Once in a while we here about a film star turned politician whose erstwhile party which keeps demanding the award being bestowed on him. No doubt there are some worthy names which are missing in this madness for proposals including a former prime minister who has initiated the economic reforms, the benefit of which we are all enjoying today.

Another senior leader of a leftist party is being propped for his leadership of a state for over two decades during which period it has gone from being a industrial capital of the country to a most backward state status. This party other than it’s self proclaimed nations conscious keeper status done nothing much towards nation building.

No doubt there are more such names doing the rounds, one doesn’t really understand why so much of noise is being generated in this regard. Why not we take few examples from different walks of life and evolve a mechanism which can deliver a blemish free selection.

Noble prize winners are selected by a five man committee constituted by the Norwegian parliament for that purpose and they will dwell on various proposals and then come out with a valued judgment. Closer home let’s look at the effort of a Business publication which has been selecting the ‘Best Businessman of the year’ with a well constituted panel which is headed by the previous years winner.

It is worthwhile that a parliament appointed committee consisting of eminent people (who are unlikely to appease for this appointment) to select the Highest Civilian awardees. Let all these propagandists send in their nominations for the award detailing why they propose the award for their candidate.

Do we Indians have the killer instinct?

We keep reading and hearing about the lack of killer instinct in the Indian sportsmen and how we tamely give up when it comes to a fight.

Yes it was indeed true some years back, however when some players show aggression, we the community tell it is too much and we shouldn’t carry the fight into the enemy camp. I suppose the soldiers who fought the 1971 war with Pakistan will agree when they were asked to retreat from the occupied territory.

Srisanth showed what was aggression and as a bowler he bowled with the spirit and unlike Zaheer who was thrashed in the world cup finals, Sreeshanth had been quite persistently successful and he lived up to his aggression. It was sthe Indian batsman who couldn’t take the fight to the enemy territory and all the people around started asking Shreesanth to calm down, I presume media too played it’s role. Probably that is one reason why he is sitting at home, instead of playing the game in Australia, are we worried an angry Australian team would rip us apart.

Coming to the latest match at Sydney, first and foremost Australians started using the negative tactics by alleging Racial abuse at Harbajan (he was one of those willing to match them word to word). I am sure no body would say anything unless he is provoked and that is what even Tony Greg has rightly pointed out.

It was difficult to the Aussie team to stomach the fight Indian team gave them from the day one of the 2nd test match. I think they were greatly helped by the umpires who were as it is performing way below their ability. The policy of I don’t walk when I am out but will also claim catches when they are not clean seems to be the new spirit of the Aussie team, while it doesn’t speak good for a fighting team, it is time they re-visited their strategy.

Indeed Australians are fighters and will not give up that easily and they have proved it time and again, but they should be willing to play the game in a fair manner. Probably the reaction of Aussie captain Ponting’s to a media person’s question about the spirit of the game, speaks the guilty he is carrying.

Come on Aussies playing the game hard cant be only your team’s prerogative and fight the game on the field rather than off it. Sledging, Bad gamesmanship shouldn’t win you the matches but your ability should.

Come on India it is time you fight the game on the field and give them a fitting reply and we are with you in your fight back