Patronising symbols

The Supreme Court has wisely put a lid on the controversy over the Bharat Ratna awarded to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by cancelling the Pre...

The Supreme Court has wisely put a lid on the controversy over the Bharat Ratna awarded to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by cancelling the Press communique on it.

This particular case may be closed, but it occasions serious thinking about the validity of civilian awards, posthumous or otherwise. They are part of the paraphernalia that the Raj left behind, relics of royal patronage that have little practical value in the modern world.

In an earlier, simpler world, the monarch would pin a medal to the chest of a civilian as a sign of his or her favour, in return for services rendered. These favours8217; had actual value, according the wearer access to privileges and services not available to ordinary citizens. A gentleman of the Order of the Garter, for instance, was assured preference wherever he went. Today, in the egalitarian society, that is no longer the case. Those very medals are now disparaged as gongs8217;, on account of their shape, and offer only token advantages. And the same goes for the Indian civilian awards that they have inspired.

Besides, these awards have little credibility now. It is widely known that not a little behind-the-scenes jockeying is involved in a lot of awards. Unlike military awards, where it is usually obvious whether candidates are deserving or not, opinion comes into play here. Which, in its turn, lays them open to manipulation. Opinion is divided, for instance, on whether M.G. Ramachandran deserved a posthumous Bharat Ratna at all. And the Ambedkarites wonder if the award accorded to B.R. Ambedkar was not in the nature of an insult. They argue that the man was far greater than the award, which therefore cheapened him. This was the very logic by which the government had decided against giving Mahatma Gandhi a posthumous award. And naturally, Kanshi Ram has promised to make good the omission as soon as he comes to power, strictly in retaliation. More important, these awards have limited intrinsic value, especially when it comes to recognition of scholarship or art. There are cases without number where recipients have sold their awards to ward off starvation. These awards, then, constitute mere token recognition.

Civilian awards should have more than symbolic value if they are to have any credibility. In fact, the nations of the world which have not had a strong monarchical tradition have already evolved mechanisms that are more meaningful than any gong or dinner plate, however ornate. Recently, for instance, Mother Teresa was given parking rights when she visited America. In a society where parking space is always at a premium, it is an extremely useful facility. At the same time, it shows the esteem in which that society holds the Mother. Similarly, citizens who perform significant services for their community are given privileged access to its institutions, or are granted subsidies. In India, on the other hand, a certain state which prides itself on its literature offers a lifetime achievement award which consists of two pieces of badly engraved wood. There is a little cash on the side enough to buy provisions for a few months. The level of the state8217;s appreciation comes through with depressing clarity. If our awards are to have any dignity, they need to show better intent.