Salim Khan, Actor Salman Khan's Father refused Padma Shri awarded to him on this Republic day, saying that he deserved a bigger award. Earlier newspapers reports indicate that Shri Shri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev refused to be nominated for these awards. What is the credibility and importance of these awards? The rejection by these eminent persons bring out that these awards no more exult the pride they once did.
Coming to defence services awards this year, some 57 Lt Gens out of 75 and 43 Major Generals out of 275 were given distinguished service awards. Some are questioning the distinguished service rendered by these awardees. Their quantity is higher in higher ranks and proportionately reduces till it becomes ZERO for Capts/ Lts. What do we mean by distinguished service? Is it for a length of service or a particular year?
Aren't there appropriate medals at 9 years, 20 years and 30 years? What was so distinguishing service given by 57 Lt Gens that 18 others did not do? Doesn't it show bias and favouritism? Weren't they paid during the time they held the rank? What extra thing they did other than their desired duty from Air Conditioned offices.
What is the aim of awarding Civil and gallantry awards? Are they meant to motivate others to do some good that benefit the society and the nation or they are meant to recognise the good work done by the award winner? Was this good work beyond the call of duty? Then, this good work done ought to be spelt out. But most of this good work generally benefits the person concerned. In civil walk of life, other than name and fame , monetary gains also accrue to the person who does something good.
Take the case of Sachin Tendulkar, Bharat Ratna awarded to him. Is it to motivate INDIAN youth to play cricket only and make money for self? Now do not add the spin that it was meant to motivate all sports. What about Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand or Athlete PT Usha or even Kapil Sev and Sunil Gavaskar? How are they less than Tendulkar? He did it for himself--- Kapil did for the nation----why MS Dhoni even did better. How about Amitabh Bachchan? Sure, he was the emperor in his field. Are we telling the youth --- Play Cricket--- earn name, fame and money but stop from becoming soldiers?
Also, see the way these awards are dished out by respective governments and Army Chiefs. A favoured few get them for nothing. Rising quantity of awards decrease their importance. Obviously, when supply is more than the demand, the price falls. Simple rule of daily life.
Even international awards such as NOBLE PEACE AWARDS have dubious distinction of being fixed. How did Malala Yusuf or Kailash Satyarthi qualify? A general refrain is that both served the Western objectives. In fact, Satyarthi was NOT even known in India. An Internet write up on him claims that he has done many unethical & anti INDIA actions, which qualify him only for treason.
Take the case for a number of Bollywood awards. General impression is that most of them were fixed and rigged. This year's Star awards dished out BEST ACTOR AWARD to Shah Rukh Khan---- there was nothing he did which Abhishek or Boman Irani did not do, to get this award for HNY. No wonder people like Amir Khan, Sunny Deol , Ajay Devgan and many other sensitive Bollywood personalities do not attend such award functions because they have no value.
Crisis in Command by Richard Gabriel and Paul Savage about US army in Vietnam explain how these awards were manipulated and how they got devalued with almost every soldier having his chest decorated. We are having our own cases like 'Ketch Up Cols' or "Number Game" in J&K----what is the respect, then one has for these awardees?
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