‘Ratna’ is losing sheen
Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award given to extraordinary achievers in the country. But since the award is placed so high, it does not mean everyone who receives it is also as significant. This applies to the award too. When the award is conferred on really significant achievers, does it increase its own value on par with the recipients.Nobel Prize, no doubt, is an internationally acclaimed one. But some people who were more renowned than that, rejected it and grew above that. The world didn’t reject leaders like Ambedkar and Gandhiji because they did not get Nobel.
Similarly, the world has conveniently forgotten so many Nobel laureates too! Hence, the value of the prize or award lies in the recipients. Even the best award, when conferred on undeserving people, loses its value. So much so that even the deserving ones may hesitate to accept it. This time around, Bharat Ratna has been conferred on three people. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, RSS senior ideologue late Nanaji Deshmukh, and Assamese Singer late Bhupen Hazarika.
People who thought Siddaganga Swamiji who passed away recently could be considered for the award are very disappointed. There is another reason for disappointment. If the recipients were any better known than Swamiji in terms of service, one could have respected the decision of the centre. But the government set aside Siddaganga Swamiji and conferred the honour on these three. To be the President of India, is not a prerequisite to getting a Bharat Ratna but his works during the time he was in the office should make him a deserving person for the award. Pranab Mukherjee was probably among the worst performing finance ministers of this country.
He always had an inclination towards RSS while he was within the Congress too. He spent most of his time as President visiting Tirupati. He resembles P V Narasimha Rao in his demeanour. That’s why the BJP and RSS like him. More than all these, he was seen participating in the programme organized by the RSS a few months ago. After having enjoyed the fruits of power from one party, one needs immense confidence to get on good terms with another party. Sometimes the tradeoffs are very big. Hence to understand why the RSS recommended him for Bharat Ratna is no puzzle really.
Another person conferred with the award is Nanaji Deshmukh. He was a BJP MP during his life time and a senior RSS ideologue. Government has been claiming that he has served the tribals whereas his achievement is that he took the RSS ideology to the tribals and influenced them with brahminism. BJP has been shedding crocodile tears on the Sikh massacre, alleging this was stage managed by the Congress. But Nanaji Deshmukh had defended this massacre saying this was a normal response to whatever had transpired earlier. Yet, he is Bharat Ratna now.
As for Bhupen Hazarika, there is no doubt that he is a singer with consciousness. He had fought elections on BJP ticket and lost. Hence this honour is being seen with a lot of suspicion. If there was any other party in power, this situation would have been different. When compared to these three, Siddaganga Seer was more deserving of a Bharat Ratna than these three. Sachin having scored a few thousand runs is conferred with the Ratna, but Swamiji’s selfless service in terms of providing for food shelter and education is not being considered. This itself is a mockery of his works by the government. Siddaganga seer didn’t lose much because he was denied Bharat Ratna. If he was conferred with the award, the award itself would have gained a lot of weight. In some ways, it is better that he wasn’t conferred with the award. Else, we’d have been forced to see him on the same line as Sachin Tendulkar and Nanaji Deshmukh.
There was a time when a Bharat Ratna awardee would be seen with great respect by the whole country. Today we don’t feel much about the names now. If Bharat Ratna has to regain its glory, political parties should have no role in selection. The award should not be under the government control. Instead, senior experts and thinkers, achievers should be able to choose the awardees independently. To expect something like this is highly impossible from a government that interferes with the CBI functioning itself. Whatever it may be, today the central government has humiliated a true Lingayat and Sharana, and this is an insult to the entire Karnataka.
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Australia bundled out for 104 as India take 46-run first-innings lead
Perth (PTI): Pacer Jasprit Bumrah completed his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests as Australia were bundled out for 104 at lunch, losing the remaining three wickets in the morning session on Day 2 to give India a handy 46-run first-innings lead in the opening match here on Saturday.
For India, captain Jasprit Bumrah (5/30) was the pick of the bowlers while Mohammed Siraj (2/20) and debutant Harshit Rana (3/48) also chipped in.
It was a abject surrender from Australia, who could add just 37 runs to their overnight score of 67/7, thanks chiefly to tail-ender Mitchell Starc (26), who emerged the highest scorer for his side
Bumrah struck the first blow on Saturday, dismissing keeper-batter Alex Carey (21) off the first ball of his over as the Australian could add just two runs to his overnight score.
India were all out for 150 from 49.4 overs at the stroke of tea on Friday.
Brief Scores:
India: 150 all out in 49.4 overs vs Australia: 104 all out in 51.2 overs (Alex Carey 21, Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5/30, Harshit Rana 3/48, Mohammed Siraj 2/20).
