Bharat Ratna : If Sachin then Why not other Legends ?

 As We the People of India know about amendment made in eligibility criteria of Bharat Ratna in 1966 and then again in 2011. Now the criteria for Bharat Ratna is "for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as recognition of public service of the highest order and for performance of highest order in any field of human endeavour." First question , why this amendment ? Is it not govt. honoring one single man by ignoring people like Dhirubhai (Dispute may be there about eligibility, I have written his name just keeping his popularity in view, not supporting for him), Prof. Satish Dhawan , Vikram Sarabhai , Homi Bhabha etc ?

Now Question is , What kind of Public Service has Sachin done ? First , He has played for a  BCCI. Second , BCCI is itself a private body. Third, There is No mass benefit from his game as compare to industrialisation , Science & Technology. Fourth , Whatever he has done ....... all is either for for BCCI or for himself. Are all these public Service , National Service or Money Making Service for himself & BCCI ???

On the other hand , People like Dhirubhai Ambani (Dispute may be there about eligibility, I have written his name just keeping his popularity in view, I am not supporting for him) who had done wondrous in capital formation, great in industrialisation , gorgeous recognition to India in economic platform , worldwide appreciation, contribution to economic growth & creation of huge employment for our youths. Anyone can see easily the contribution made by personalities like him in economic arena of country.

Further , We think , Contribution of Prof. Satish Dhawan , Dr. Vikram Sarabhai , Dr. Homi Bhabha etc. in the field of science & technology , do not need any kind of explanation.

To award Bharat Ratna to Sachin just before 2014 Lok Sabha Election is just a Vote Bank Game of Bharat Ratna & Sachin. We all know Sachin has a crowd & crowd's popularity but Eminent personalities like Dhirubhai, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Satish Dhawan etc, Dr. Homi Bhabha lack it. But, ignorance can not stand on Scrutiny of Justice with  Bharat Ratna & these Ratnas.

Keeping all those in view , We think , Deerubhai Ambani (Dispute may be there about eligibility, I have written his name just keeping his popularity in view, I am not supporting for him), Dr. Satish Dhawan, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai , Dr. Homi Bhabha like personalities are more deserving as compare to Sachin. Popularity in crowd & Crowd's mandate can NOT be reason for awarding Bharat Ratna to anyone. Because Crowd is always Mad.

Our Indian Leadership & Government must understand that Leader & Governance should have People's mandate to run the governance & administration in all field , Not the Crowd's.

Rajani Kant Indra

Faculty of Law, Lucknow University, Lucknow

(Nov. 22, 2013)