Business News This Week
On Saturday, November 16: the day that Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket, the Government of India announced that he (along with Professor CNR Rao) would receive the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honor bestowed on an Indian citizen.
Before 16 December 2012, the award was for “exceptional service towards advancement of Art, Literature, and Science, and in recognition of public service of the highest order.” On that day, it was changed so that it could be awarded “in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human Endeavour”.
It was no longer restricted to exceptional individuals in art, literature, science and public service. The field was broadened to include "any field of human endeavour". It was also 'watered down' to include performance as well as service. Cynics argued then, with some justification, that that the policy was altered to accommodate (arguably) India's greatest cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar. Under the previous statement of the policy, he could not be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
The debate on the rewording of the policy has been reignited, as expected, after the announcement that Tendulkar would receive the Bharat Ratna. The timing of the announcement by the Government was cheekily uncanny. Just hours earlier, Tendulkar had made a heartrending speech at the Wankhede stadium on the conclusion of his last and 200th Test match. He inspired, touched, and provoked many that saw or heard what the most beautiful retirement speech was arguably.
Across India and in many other countries, grown men and women wept as we heard Tendulkar speak from his heart, of the many people and organizations he owed a depth of gratitude to. Many more wept as we watched him walk up to the pitch, bend down, touch it and then touch his heart. He had paid his last respects to the arena that he gave so much to, gained so much from.
With full respect to Sachin for his individual records and contribution to Indian cricket, MIIM opines that if he has been nominated for the biggest civilian award of the country on the basis of amended or extended standards, more dignitaries like Dr.Ram manohar Lohia, Atal bihari Bajpai (Politicians), Major Dhyanchand ( Hocky player who brought glory to country in Olympics) Dhirubhai Ambani (Ace businessman) E.Sreedharan (Metro man) and Dilip Kumar (versatile film actor) should be considered for this award.
Atul Malikram, Director MIIM decided to conduct an opinion poll on Bharat Ratna award and request all readers of this page to caste their “liking” on the following celebrities:
· Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya
· Atal Bihari Bajpai
· Major Dhyanchand
· Dhirubhai Ambani
· E.Sreedharan
· Dilip Kumar
Please caste your liking and forward your “Choice’ to decision takers well before Republic Day 2014, when the biggest civilian award will be given to worthy persons.
For more information please contact
Atul Malikram
9755020247
