Conferring Sachin Tendulkar with the Bharat Ratna ahead of Dhyan Chand - Justified?

Conferring Sachin Tendulkar with the Bharat Ratna ahead of Dhyan Chand - Justified?

On 4th February 2014, the god of cricket Sachin Tendulkar and the famous scientist CNR Rao were conferred with the Bharat Ratna award by President Pranab Mukherjee. And with this started one of the most controversial debates of the year- Was it justified to confer Sachin Tendulkar with the Bharat Ratna award ahead of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand?

Yes

• In the present time, cricket is more popular than hockey. People consider the game as an integral part of life. In fact the country has a large number of cricket admirers as compared to hockey. So it was easy for the people to associate the country’s highest civilian award with Sachin Tendulkar.

• It is the human tendency to make decisions according to time. In 1940s, hockey was a popular game and if that time any sportsperson who would have deserved the award first was none other than Late Dhyan Chand.

• It is only few years back when the amendments in stipulation were made to open Bharat Ratna award to the sportsperson. And thanks to Sachin Tendulkar who can be given the credit for this change.

• By conferring Sachin Tendulkar the award first they have indirectly honored Dhyan Chand. The young generation that was not even aware of the hockey legendary is now keen to know more about his achievements in the sports field.

• No one can deny the influence Sachin Tendulkar has wielded, not just on the sport, but also on society and his country. He definitely deserved applause for his outstanding contributions in the various fields.

• Sachin Tendulkar has given an important message to youngsters- Don’t be a slave to success. Stick to principles, ethics, values and work for welfare of society. That is what success is all about. Definitely it is his humbleness which made me the first favorite of Bharat Ratna award in the sports field.

No

• How can the people of India or the respectable Prime Minister forget that hockey is the national game of India. If the country itself cannot give the respect to the national game and its legendary players then how can they expect others to value this game?

• The world knows that Don Bradman admires Sachin Tendulkar but how many people know that he complimented Late Dhyan Chand with the statement "He scores goals like runs in cricket". So why he was not considered as a first choice for Bharat Ratna?

• Dhyan Chand was known as The Wizard for his superb ball control and skills. The performance came at a time when there were no resources available for the sportsperson. They just had the determination and sincerity to prove their caliber. The recognition was self-made without any media or money. A sportsperson who proved himself without any resources and media deserved the first Bharat Ratna award.

• The initial success and fame of India in sports is credited to hockey and Late Dhyan Chand.

• It is just not about first or second, but also about the message that it will send to the hockey players in India. One person’s greatness does not diminish another person’s greatness, but certainly discourages the youngsters from playing hockey.

Conclusion

It makes no sense to compare the two things which are as dissimilar as chalk and cheese. All the discussions hold no meaning when people try to compare legends across eras and that too across different sports. Dhyan Chand deserves better but indirectly it is Sachin Tendulkar whose success and popularity led to the changes in the stipulation of Bharat Ratna award.