On the Controversy involving Bharat Ratna - Sachin Tendulkar deserves respect, not political patronage

The controversy regarding the process involved and expedited for honoring Sachin Tendulkar, merely highlights how the UPA government and the Congress party have treated great icons of this nation. Sachin Tendulkar is India’s living legend, who has become a global celebrity and commands respect and love of masses across the world. He symbolizes the aspiration and hope of young India and has never courted any controversy concerning his personal conduct and certainly is not the one who would seek the ‘good offices’ of any politician, for any favours.

While the Bharat Ratna undoubtedly was a much natural and logical choice to acknowledge his illustrious career in the field of sports, the manner in which it was done seems to suggest a political one-upmanship of the scion of the Nehru Family, since another great sporting legend the late Major Dyan Chand’s name was unceremoniously omitted at the last moment. The UPA government could have conducted the entire process concerning the conferment of the highest civilian award of the nation, in a much more civic and dignified manner, rather than causing unwanted embarrassment to the icons involved and undermining the glory attached to such prestigious awards.