The article, “ >Choosing the jewels of India ” (Dec.30), is bold and forthright, and succinctly brings out painful facts on how even the conferring of the Bharat Ratna on someone is subject to political manipulation. It is sad that the highest civilian award, which once stood out for its integrity and reputation, has been reduced to a commodity that can be “bought”. It is also questionable why this award is extended to non-Indians when its very name suggests that it belongs to India. If the Bharat Ratna award is to regain its past glory and reputation, it should be ensured that the award is bestowed on persons who can skilfully influence people and bring about a perceptible change in society through his/her sheer hard work and commitment in the field he/she belongs to. The awardee should be carefully chosen by a panel of eminent jurists.
R. Sivakumar,
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To avoid controversy, there has to be a panel to decide who gets the Bharat Ratna. It must comprise former awardees and jurists and be headed by the Prime Minister.
Gaurav Dubey,
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Fame, popularity and political affiliation have become some of the new benchmarks for winning this award. A sportsperson, no matter how many records he might have broken, or a film superstar, no matter how many blockbusters he might have delivered, can never be ideal candidates for the award. There are many soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country and social workers who have done selfless service to the nation, yet remain out of the public glare. Is the service rendered by sportspersons and matinee-idols greater to the nation than that of a war-hero or a social worker?
N. Venkata Sai Praveen,
Chennai
During the British Raj, the title “Rao Bahadur” was given to anyone who paid a fixed amount of money to the government. Let the Bharat Ratna be not seen as something similar and of no value.
M.K.B. Nambiar,
Mahe
The Le Monde editorially commented on Patrick Modiano winning the Nobel for literature thus: “ ... at a time of rampant French-bashing, Mr. Modiano’s achievement was something of a vindication for a country where Nobel Prizes in literature flow [more] liberally than oil.” Modiano was the 15th French writer to win a Nobel. Horace Engdahl of the Swedish Academy responded: “The purpose... is not to tap them when they are famous.” The Bharat Ratna is neither an Indian Nobel nor an Indian Magsaysay. However, like the Nobel, it is no longer a lifetime achievement award. Some decades ago even a higher secondary student could reel off the names of Bharat Ratna awardees in chronological order. Today, how many educated Indians can do this correctly?
C.V. Venugopalan,
Palakkad