What is your top choice for deserving "Bharat Ratna"?
Wikipedia describes Bharat Ratna as "the Republic of India's
highest civilian award, awarded for the highest degrees of national service" which
includes "artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition
of public service of the highest order."
Bharat Ratna literally translates
to 'gem of India' which means a person who is a prized possession of the nation.
A true Bharat Ratna is a person that has brought laurels that are irreplaceable
or offered services that helped in the betterment of the entire country. The Bharat
Ratna awardees of the past have surely been worthy recipients but there are some
people that have gone unnoticed despite having some mighty impressive work behind
them. This list showcases some such personalities that are, indeed, the greatest
assets of our country and deserve to win the Bharat Ratna.
- 1. Baba Amte:
Murlidhar Devidas Amte, nicknamed Baba Amte, was India's miracle worker. He was
a man whose sole aim in life was to uplift the downtrodden. He exhausted his life
following Gandhian principles and working for the betterment of his fellow-beings.
His social activism was of another level and very few present-day activists have
that kind of passion for helping others. Such was his dedication that he even offered
his own body to be used as an experiment to grow leprae germs in order to find a
cure for leprosy. He won several awards in his lifetime, the entire proceeds of
which went to Anandwan- an ashram and community rehabilitation centre for leprosy
patients.
Why he deserves it? For being the lone hope of humanity in a world lost to commercialism.
- 2. Sachin
Tendulkar:
There is nothing much that hasn't been said about the ultimate
cricket maestro of our country. The name Sachin Tendulkar instantly brings to mind
an image of Indian cricket in all its pride and glory. There have been legends in
cricket but no cricketer has had such an impact on the nation. Irrespective of whether
a person loves cricket or not, it would be rare that the person is unaware of the
stature of Tendulkar. Respected by people around the world, many go on to say that
he is an even greater cricketer than the legendary, Sir Don Bradman. The said reason
why Sachin hasn't won a Bharat Ratna is because the award cannot be bestowed on
a sportsperson. This, we think, is no reason why the award should be kept from a
person who is undoubtedly one of the nation's biggest assets.
Why he deserves it? Because he is the one man who can take a billion mindsets and
make them one.
- 3. Dr.
Kurien Verghese:
The man known as the 'milkman' of India' was nothing short
of a magician, at least in the field of food and agriculture. He single handedly
orchestrated the 'operation flood', which was the world's largest dairy development
program. He was also the founder of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation
(GCMMF) and the man who made the food-brand AMUL such a huge success. Apart from
these, Kurien, along with his team, was a pioneer in the invention of the process
of making milk powder and condensed milk from buffalo's milk, which was a groundbreaking
development in India. He brought about a sea of change in the segment of rural development
by involving farmers in a positive way through his extraordinary leadership.
Why he deserves it? For taking something as commonplace as milk in a rural area
and creating a worldwide revolution out of it, while making India the largest milk
producer in the world.
- 4. M.F.
Hussain:
Maqbool
Fida Hussain was much too accused in his home-country for people to realize his
true worth. He was the gem that India lost because of a handful of people who insisted
on taking away the expression of freedom from an artiste. There was never a doubt
that he was, indeed, the country's most prolific painters. Not only in India, Hussain
was a renowned painter across the globe, revered by art-lovers. His paintings, though
controversial, had a lot of insight in them and mostly invited extreme reactions
from the critics. The sharp criticism he drew in the country only led him away to
another country where he breathed his last.
Why he deserves it? For being a true artiste and not bowing down to criticism while
being the country's own Picasso.
- 5. Azim
Premzi:
According
to Bill Gates, "If anyone personifies India's economic transformation, it is Azim
Premji, chairman of the information-technology powerhouse Wipro Ltd." Premji's success
story is a source of inspiration for youngsters which proves how perseverance and
determination can take an individual to dizzy heights. Azim Premji is an asset to
our nation not only because he helped India in becoming a significant player on
the economic front but also because of his philanthropy.
Premji is deeply involved with charity, and especially dedicated to the cause of
providing education to the under-privileged kids. Recently, he donated $2 billion
to his foundation, which was the largest contribution in the history of charity
in India. He also plans to start 2 schools in every district in India that could
easily shame the public education system of the country if it succeeds.
Why he deserves it? He has not only made a great fortune for himself by his extreme
dedication but has the desire to give back to the nation, always finding ways to
do so.
Courtesy: Yahoo
