India has a unique tendency to shower praise on its citizen icons only after they have passed away. While honoring the departed is a deep cultural tradition, this posthumous glorification often feels insincere and superficial. We celebrate individuals who have left a lasting impact on the nation yet fail to properly acknowledge them while they are still alive.
This is evident in the case of Ratan Tata, one of the most admired figures of our time, whose contributions to India extend far beyond business and philanthropy. The fact that such an extraordinary individual has not been awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna—while figures from fields like Bollywood, cricket, and politics are regularly considered—raises troubling questions about our societal values. One such, quiet farewell was also for the maverick genius, the brilliant fashion designer – Rohit Bal, lately.
Why the Hypocrisy after death?
This trend is a reflection of our collective failure to appreciate individuals at the right time. We have witnessed this pattern repeatedly—think of legendary freedom fighters, thinkers, and artists who received accolades only after their demise. While death often invokes a reevaluation of someone’s life, the selective application of such posthumous honors seems hypocritical. If someone’s contributions were significant enough to merit admiration, then why wait until their death to acknowledge them? This practice feels like an evasion of responsibility. It allows society to reap the benefits of an individual’s contributions without offering due recognition when it is most meaningful. It becomes an easy way for the establishment and the public to appear benevolent, while also sidestepping uncomfortable truths about favoritism in the awards system.
Genuine Greatness—Why Do We Need Reminders?
When discussing the most selfless and visionary contributors to modern India, Ratan Tata’s name consistently shines through. As the Chairman of Tata Sons, he expanded the Tata Group into a global powerhouse while maintaining its commitment to ethical business practices, philanthropy, and nation-building. His role in reshaping industries, from automobiles (Tata Motors) to steel (Tata Steel) to software (TCS), has made him a giant in India’s industrial landscape. Ratan Tata was not just a corporate leader; he embodies the spirit of service that uplifts a society at large. His commitment to corporate social responsibility is evident in Tata Group’s work in education, healthcare, and community development. Tata Trusts, under his leadership, has supported countless initiatives to alleviate poverty, improve education, and promote rural development. His visionary project, the Tata Nano, aimed to make cars affordable for the masses, and while it was not a commercial success, it reflected his deep concern for social equity. Yet, despite his monumental contributions, we failed to bestow upon him the Bharat Ratna, title. This glaring omission leads one to ask: why is a man of such stature overlooked for the nation’s highest honor?
Parasites of Society: The Misallocation of Honors
On the other hand, the Bharat Ratna has been awarded to individuals who, at best, have had careers in fields driven by personal gain, or at worst, have actively undermined the social fabric. It is no secret that awards in India, like in many countries, often fall prey to political and populist considerations. Bollywood stars, cricketers, and politicians routinely make the list of awardees, even when their contributions to the country are superficial compared to those like Ratan Tata.Take Bollywood, for example. While cinema is undoubtedly an influential part of Indian culture, its primary goal is entertainment, often driven by profit and stardom rather than public service. Should individuals who excel in this industry be placed on the same pedestal as those who transform millions of lives through nation-building and philanthropy?
Similarly, cricketers, while they inspire millions and bring joy to the nation, cannot be credited with the kind of systemic change or social upliftment that figures like Ratan Tata have achieved. Sport, while valuable, should not be the measure by which the nation’s highest civilian award is conferred. Yet, cricketers have frequently been awarded the Bharat Ratna, more for their popularity than their lasting impact on society.
Politicians: Duty Bound, Not Deserving of Civilian Honors
One of the most egregious trends in the conferring of the Bharat Ratna is its frequent allocation to politicians. This is deeply problematic. Politicians are elected to serve the nation; they take an oath under the Constitution, bound to serve the people using taxpayers’ money. Serving the public is their duty, not a sacrifice deserving of awards. A politician’s career, by nature, is steeped in self-interest and power dynamics, and it is often difficult to separate political success from political manipulation.
It is therefore baffling that politicians continue to receive the Bharat Ratna. Many of these awardees have played divisive roles in society, contributing more to political polarization than national unity. Granting them the country’s highest civilian honor appears to be more about cementing their legacies than acknowledging truly selfless service. Furthermore, it diminishes the award’s value by placing individuals in power structures on the same plane as those who operate out of purely altruistic motives, like Ratan Tata. The Need to re-evaluate who deserves the Bharat Ratna
It is time for India to reevaluate how it bestows the Bharat Ratna. The award should be reserved for those who genuinely serve the nation with no expectation of personal gain or fame. People like Ratan Tata, who have contributed to the country’s growth, equity, and global stature, should be honored, not Bollywood stars, cricketers, or politicians who are already rewarded handsomely by their respective fields.
Awarding the Bharat Ratna to Ratan Tata would not only be a recognition of his remarkable contributions but also a signal to the nation about what values truly matter. In a time when politics is polarized, entertainment is commercialized, and sports are commercial enterprises, we need to uplift those who serve the nation in ways that are profound, selfless, and sustainable.
Let’s stop the hypocrisy of shedding praises after death. Let us honor those who are truly deserving, when they are alive, and show the next generation what kind of service to the nation is truly valued. This is the only way to ensure that the Bharat Ratna remains a symbol of greatness, not a token of political or populist convenience.
