BHARAT RATNA

MY ARGUMENT, Mr. P.M.

Sunil Gavaskar has recently stated that Bharat Ratna to be awarded  to Rahul Dravid, citing his achievement in leading the Indian Cricket team to victory in the T20 World Cup as a coach.

 This statement  should be reviewed more critically.

Mr. GAVASKAR—Please Look beyond CRICKET.

Why only Rahul Dravid, and why only cricket players? Since Sachin Tendulkar received the Bharat Ratna, cricket fans and players are eagerly anticipating who might be the next. He is the only sports person who got Bharat Ratna.

Many argue that Sachin inspired the entire nation towards cricket and thus deserved the honour. If that's the case, PV Sindhu also inspired many young girls to play badminton. Her influence led to a surge in interest and participation in badminton across India. Surely, in the same logic—she is also a CANDIDATE.

Strongest is the case is for  our Chess Prodigy, in my opinion.  Viswanathan Anand has been a significant inspiration in chess, motivating many young boys, and girls  to take up the game of Chess. His achievement at highest level is unmatchable.  Notable players like Gukesh D, P Harikrishna, and Koneru Humpy were inspired by Anand. Young prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who defeated Magnus Carlsen, also drew inspiration from Anand. Therefore, Anand too deserves the Bharat Ratna.

Many sportsmen and women bring medals to India in the Paralympics, serving as true inspirations not just to players but to all of mankind. Why can't they be considered for the Bharat Ratna?

There was once significant lobbying for Padma awards, but when given to true heroes of society, the respect for these awards increased. However, with frequent appeals for Bharat Ratna for celebrities, the award's sanctity is getting diminished. Celebrities are not achievers.

Let's consider playback singers. Lata Mangeshkar received the Bharat Ratna while alive, and the award can also be given posthumously. Why then can't SP Balasubramanian, Mohammad Rafi, Hemanta Mukherjee, Salil Choudhury and Kishore Kumar be honoured similarly?

PV Narasimha Rao was awarded the Bharat Ratna last year for his economic reforms. NTR's name has been suggested for the Bharat Ratna, especially since MGR received it. NTR deserves the award for inspiring both film artists and politicians. Why not Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy of West Bengal  be considered as a suitable person?

Ramoji Rao's name has also been suggested by some after his demise, but he faces financial cases in the Supreme Court. Should he be considered for the highest civilian award unless acquitted?

The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award and should not be given based on  Celebrity value, appeals, Political Convenience or popularity. It should be awarded based on true merit and achievement. Many unsung heroes in India deserve this recognition. The Bharat Ratna should be awarded to real role models rather than rich and controversial individuals.

Quite a few who got the award-- don't deserve. I don't want to name them. Many deserve, but not honoured.

Mr. prime Minister, you  reformed the Padma Awards system by honouring common people with deserving merit.

 PLEASE ALSO CONSIDER REFORMING THE BHARAT RATNA AWARDING SYSTEM.

Reference:- Newspaper// Public Domain

Image:- Google