PM Modi deserves a Bharat Ratna between us

While it has been raining Bharat Ratnas during the past fortnight, one wonders why the government has not as yet declared that the highest civilian award should be conferred on current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He richly deserves it and his being given the award would be as per the precedents, where two previous Prime Ministers were similarly honoured while they were still occupying the august office.

The reference is to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was selected for the award in 1955, and Indira Gandhi, who was the recipient in 1971 soon after India humbled Pakistan in a decisive war leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Both were appropriate choices for this conferment, and therefore there can never be any debate on this issue.

Similarly, if Modi was to be also given this award, there would never be any questions asked. He has been a strong and decisive leader, who has brought stability to the country, and his numerous schemes have resulted in the betterment of quality of life for the common citizens.

Modi is singularly responsible for putting India on the world map in the manner in which it never was. The Indian diaspora comprises his numerous admirers, and because of his personal rapport with many heads of governments round the world, Modi has accomplished new grounds for the country in the international arena.

Both Nehru and Indira Gandhi were bestowed the award by the Presidents of that time. Dr Rajendra Prasad, took it upon himself to confer the Bharat Ratna on Nehru, and 16 years later, V.V. Giri, did the same for Indira Gandhi. It would be in the fitness of things that before the code of conduct comes into force, and the elections get notified, President Droupadi Murmu should declare this award for Modi.

There can be an argument that the President cannot make a unilateral decision without the approval of the Union Council of Ministers. But the fact is that such an approval was not obtained earlier and is not necessary now. There is no one who can challenge the declaration, since there is no one amongst the current lot of leaders, who can be considered ahead of the Prime Minister.

Modi has transformed India during the ten years of his dispensation, and even his worst critics would admit, that there has not been any leader in the recent past, who has had such an absolute control over policy making and decisions which are aimed at the overall good. Yes, there have been certain controversial matters that have also arisen, but the government has good reasoning for going ahead with them, because of promises made in the party manifesto, ahead of the previous elections.

The Parliament is in session and even a resolution recommending the Bharat Ratna for Modi can be adopted in both the Houses, if this is required, though the President’s decision would be sufficient. The honour would further enhance India’s image abroad as the award to the head of the government would send a strong and clear message that the country has the highest regard for its supreme leader.

Modi had on Friday, taken many people by surprise when he announced the award for two former Prime Ministers, Chaudhary Charan Singh and P.V. Narasimha Rao posthumously, while also giving this honour to Dr M.S. Swaminathan, the father of the Green Revolution. The BJP’S critics have been all over and have stated that the Bharat Ratnas were being used as a political instrument.

Chaudhary Charan Singh was one of the most respected leaders from the Jat community and was well regarded throughout the country. Rao, on the other hand, was the father of liberalization, and his five-year rule put India on the path of economic reforms, conducted ably under the overall guidance of Dr Manmohan Singh, his Finance Minister and later the Prime Minister.

Dr Swaminathan has richly deserved this honour and should have got it long back when he was still alive. In fact, Dr Swaminathan and Dr Varghese Kurien, have made the most significant contributions for the Indian people by ushering in the Green and White Revolutions, which have gone to make the country self-sufficient in their respective sectors. They were two of the most eminent Indians.

There is also this criticism of the awards which suggests that they were aimed at political objectives, given their timing. This is not accurate as Bharat Ratnas cannot help in winning elections. Contests in the electoral arena can only be won through better strategy and better programmes on the basis of the party’s work on the ground. The reason why the Congress is trailing is that it has failed to strengthen its organization and regain its original vote base. It has also failed to highlight many of its achievements of the past and due to a flawed leadership model, has been relegated to virtual irrelevance. It can make a comeback but it has to work towards it.

The Bharat Ratna to Modi will not be a factor in the elections since the Prime Minister has accomplished what many of his predecessors were unable to do. It would make his admirers around the world happy. There could be numerous people who may not agree with his methods but no one can dispute that the intentions have been to provide benefits to underprivileged sections of society.

Politics is an essential component of the system but a Bharat Ratna would be a befitting gesture to acknowledge all what he has done. Between us.