Honourable Padmas

To find the right mix while fulfilling various priorities and criteria, like merit and social relevance, besides balancing it all with political ideology, is the difficulty that arises before the Padma awards committee every year. A huge change in the political dispensation has brought additional pressures, but the annual exercise seems to have been handled well enough, even if it’s arguable whether there should be so many from the cinema world, legends though they are, as well as from formal religion.

Two of the highest civilian awards were conferred on politicians this year, which might seem a little curious, but who can deny that the BJP’s L.K. Advani is a venerable figure thoroughly deserving of the accolade, so too Parkash Singh Badal. Of course, had they been thus honoured when the UPA was in power, it may have suggested that India had matured as a democracy. Such non-partisan behaviour, though ideal, is only an idle dream.

Given the median age of politicians who actually reach the top, it stands to reason they are more likely to need the services of the best doctors, and hence medical professionals figure in every list. This is not to suggest that anyone but the most distinguished is on it. The other professionals in great demand are lawyers, and a fair number of them have been honoured. Again, the most prominent names are there.

Where the awards touch a sentimental chord is in recognising generous people like Bill Gates and Melinda, who have given away billions for millions suffering from disease and poverty, a double whammy India is so familiar with.