Some Thoughts On Bharat Ratna Awardees
By S.G.Vombatkere
19 November, 2013
Countercurrents.org
It is common knowledge that one's words, especially words spoken in an unguarded moment or a moment of anger or great excitement, reflect one's innermost thoughts. Bharat Ratna awardee Dr.C.N.R.Rao is quoted as having said “... Why the hell these idiots these politicians have given so little for us. Inspite of that we scientists have done something". Dr.Rao does not claim to be quoted out of context, but maintains that he used the word “idiotic” and not the word “idiot”; clearly economical with truth, because more than one media report has quoted his exact words.
He justifies the word “idiotic” as being parliamentary, going on to clarify that when he says that somebody is doing something idiotic, he is not calling that person an idiot. He claims that he did not speak in anger even though media reports say that “he lost his cool”. But when he says “...why the hell...” it is difficult to believe that he was following it up in sheer fun with “these idiots these politicians ...”.
Dr.Rao has categorized a whole class of people – politicians, in this case – as “idiots”, and in the very next sentence, he says “we scientists have done something” inspite of politicians' giving so little (funds) towards scientific activities, placing scientists in a class apart from politicians. Whether or not one agrees with Dr.Rao's taxonomy, one has to admit that his utterance is unbecoming of a man of his seniority and stature.
Even if he was not Chairman of the Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council, Dr.Rao should surely be aware that politicians (“these idiots”, according to him) are responsible for awarding him the Bharat Ratna. His utterance therefore appears grossly arrogant, that too immediately following his accepting the award of India's highest decoration. Dr.Rao has also said how he is proud to be India's second scientist to be awarded Bharat Ratna after Sir C.V.Raman, when media are saying he is the third, after C.V.Raman and A.P.J.Abdul Kalam. Actually Dr.Rao is correct, since Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam is an engineer, not a scientist, and was awarded only an honorary doctorate rather recently. But Dr.Rao deliberately omitting Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam's name may indicate his sense of superiority as a scientist, and does not speak well for his humility, when everybody agrees that humility is the hallmark of greatness.
India's former ambassador in USA, Ronen Sen, of headless chickens fame, was chastised by politicians, who always take themselves very seriously. It remains to be seen how politicians will handle Dr.Rao's intemperate outburst.
Speaking of Bharat Ratna awardees, one cannot help turning one's attention to Sachin Tendulkar, who was Dr.Rao's co-awardee. An undoubted wonder in the world of cricket, Sachin has made cricket history. Receiving Bharat Ratna at such a young age and that too as the first sportsperson to do so, is truly remarkable, and Sachin's consistent humility adds to his greatness in cricket. But one cannot help wondering about the propriety of a Bharat Ratna awardee, a (priceless) Jewel of India, continuing to sell his name, pictures and video shots for advertisements of commercial products, as a source of income. Even if the ad does not state that Sachin is a Bharat Ratna, would it be appropriate for Sachin to now act for, or give his name or picture for commercial purposes and receive remuneration for it? Surely politicians in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha would have a view on this subject. One is left to wonder whether they will say anything on this matter, though one can be sure that they will have something to say to Dr.C.N.R.Rao.
Major General S.G. Vombatkere, VSM, retired in 1996 as Additional DG Discipline & Vigilance in Army HQ AG's Branch. He holds a PhD degree in Structural Dynamics from I.I.T, Madras. He is Adjunct Associate Professor of the University of Iowa, USA, in international studies. With over 370 published papers in national and international journals and seminars, his current area of interest is strategic and development-related issues. E-mail: [email protected]
Comments are moderated