The annual Padma awards engender as much joy as they create dissatisfaction. The buzz around the latest announcement, made traditionally on the eve of Republic Day, was on account of veteran film playback singer S. Janaki declining the Padma Bhushan. The 75-year-old singer is said to have turned it down as, in her opinion, it was belated recognition of her 55-year career in which she recorded over 20,000 songs in five languages.
While it is hard to argue over an individual’s perception of such national awards that recognise achievements in a wide field of endeavours, besides contribution to society, it stands to reason that it is impossible for any committee to please everyone in a nation of our size and diversity. There is no denying that the choices are often flawed.
This year, for instance, the omission of Olympic medal-winning wrestler Sushil Kumar, who did India proud again in the London Games, has been ignored after being nominated for the Padma Bhushan. It would have been timely as well as appropriate had the only Indian athlete to have won two Olympic medals (bronze in Beijing and silver in London) been recognised this year. The committee might, however, point out that he was an awardee (Padma Shri) only in 2011.
It is not an easy task to pore over the thousands of nominations. But the least the committee can do is ensure that their final list does not spread too much disaffection even as it strives to stick to merit as the prime
criterion.