Bharat Ratna Award

Bharat Ratna Award
Dear Editor,L.K Advani prime ministerial candidate of BJP has recommended Bharat Ratna award to doyen of Indian politics and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. And, Mayawati UP Chief Minister and leader of BSP has recommended that Bharat Ratna award be conferred on Late Kanshi Ram, founder of BSP. Earlier the highest civilian award was the prerogative of only politicians and an illusion was created in the minds of common man, especially the literate and semi-literate, that only politicians do public service. Few years ago, a welcome departure was made in this trend and people who have excelled in other fields viz. Dr. M.S. Subbulaxmi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam etc. were conferred the highest civilian award of the country. Thus we displayed in unambiguous terms that we Indians too can recognizs and reward meritorious and outstanding service which has helped to enhance the image of the country in the eyes of the world. Barring few exceptions, most of our illustrious and legendary personalities were first rewarded by international institutes and foreign countries and only after that we started recognising their outstanding service.It is high time that we should make a change in our attitude and start recognising and rewarding talent, excellence, outstanding achievements and dedicated and meritorious service without waiting for the outside world to reward them first. This will herald the beginning of a new culture and a loud and clear message will be sent to the whole world that in India unsung heroes are a thing of the past.-E M Adithyan,Elangalloor Mana,P.O. Edapal-679 576, Kerala.