And the Bharat Ratna goes to.........

Come Republic Day and all eyes are focused on the award ceremony, the Padma awards and the most coveted Bharat Ratna. It has been seven years in a row that nobody has been conferred this prestigious award.
Why is the question ? This question has been haunting the mind of every individual who keeps an eye on the Indian polity. Has there been no man of achievement in India in the last decade or the government is looking for a superman.It is pretty difficult to decide.

I am also thinking that is it necessary to give this award every year?
If YES, then to whom and what should be the method and criterion of selection and if NO then let's abolish this award. There is no point in keeping everyone guessing and more importantly , as these blank years are passing the bar for selection is rising automatically. I am desperate to know who breaks the lull in this decade.He must be a real HERO.

Anyways,let me try my level best to answer these questions.To decide it,first have a look at the names of the past recipients of this award. Dr. Radhakrishnan , CV Raman , JawaharLal Nehru , Indira Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam, Pt. Ravi Shankar , Lata Mangeshkar, Satyajit Ray, BR Ambedkar, Amartya Sen , Satyajit Ray and the list goes on.....Wow....that list is something. These people have one thing in common. They are the role models for the current Indian generation. Each of them has not only done something extraordinary in their field but also has worked for the development of the people. They look to be the kind of people to which Bharat Mata can come personally and embrace them . She can definitely say ...Son, it could have been millions of places where you could have been born in this universe but I am proud to have you.You are my Ratna...You are the Bharat Ratna.

Is it the definition of Bharat Ratna ? A person who stands out from the crowd and on whom the Bharat Mata can be proud of ?

Wait for a moment, I have figured out something else. Most of these people have either been involved in the Indian Freedom Struggle or were the FIRST in their fields.

A Chinese proverb aptly says "May you live in interesting times".
Here,interesting times represent difficult situations. This proverb can be used as a blessing as well as a curse ; for interesting times may either ruin you or it can bring the best out of you. For these people,it got the best out of them.

The question for eligibility becomes even more difficult when I consider that this award has also been conferred to Nelson Mandela , a non Indian but a propounder of Gandhian Principles.Now, I am confused.Is an Indian actually required for Bharat Ratna or propounding Indian principles in world is required for Bharat Ratna?
Let's not delve into this aspect of the problem for the sake of simplicity. :)


I feel the criterion , whatsoever it may be, has to change for this current scientific world. The work is now more technology oriented then setting up and exploring the basic things.At the time of Independence we had several Brave Hearts who needed recognition but now we have used up our pool of awardees and probably that's why we are now facing this dearth of heros. I feel this award should now be given once in a decade. This will not only preserve the quality of the award but also give enough time to the heros to mature and show their skills.Most importantly, it will keep all the controversies at bay.


One request....please don't make it the FilmFare award that has to be given every year irrespective of preposterous theme of Indian films , films whose ever declining standards is now changing the definition of a good movie in the minds of people.

Another thing that comes in my mind is how should a Bharat Ratna be chosen. Mind it!!!! the award is Bharat Ratna not the Indian Idol ( as it literally translates to).I have no problem with SMS and Junta polling, the only problem is that only the urban population participates in SMS polling . The rural people are only the spectators, so it won't help. Bharat Ratna is different in this regard that the chosen one is the Ratna of the majority and not of the minority.

The current system is also fine with the states sending nominations to the Centre and a committee evaluating the candidate on the basis of his service done to the country.No problem at all.Let's ensure one thing: the choice must be unanimous , no simple majority is allowed here.

As an ordinary Indian, I am deparately waiting for the chosen one . My ears are eager to listen...."And he Government of India has decided to confer the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to........".