First Bharat Ratna should go to Dhyan Chand part II
His statue stands tall at the entrance of the grandest of hockey stadiums in the world which is named after him nowadays.
He is the only hockey player to be immortalized so in the country.
His birth anniversary is being celebrated as the National Sports Day, a huge honour for any sportsperson on this planet.
On the National Sports Day, Arjuna and other awards are presented by none other than first citizen of the country.
On the same occasion, one of the awards given for the Lifetime Achievements is also named after him.
The government has recognized Dhyan Chand’ s contribution more than anybody else.
Still, when the topic of awarding Bharat Ratna comes nobody remembers him, or is it so?
We are fortunate to live in an era dominated by cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. There is all over a talk in the media (which often closes its eye to sensationalize issues, intentionally) to confer Bharat Ratna to Sachin. It has really created a hype. Nobody disregards Sachin, and he undoubtedly deserves it.
But will anyone take the trouble of asking Sachin as to what his take on this?
I hope Sachin will certainly recommend Dhyan Chand’s name before him. I am sure of it.
This site has written many times, and espoused the cause, as to why Dhyan Chand should be given this top most civilian honour. Therefore no necessary to repeat it all again. That’s why I named this article as Part II
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: (http://www.stick2hockey.com/Article/First%20Bharat%20Ratna%20should%20go%20to%20Dhyan%20Chand/7650.html)
However, it is surprising the ignorance being played by the media. Am yet to come across any sports editor or columnist, sociologist and other leading lights of the Civil Society take up the cause of Dhyan Chand. A strong opinion therefore has not been created, allowing self-styled reporters and anchors rule to the roost.
Dhyan Chand does not belong to a particular sport, but to the wholeness of it.
If we want to honour our sports, honour him first. I hope people at the high echelons of this country have wisdom, and won’t be carried away by the mis-guided and motivated and uni-focus campaign of media, especially the television ones.
Dhyan Chand’s name and fame endured many hurdles in the past, and I have no doubt in mind that will overcome this media hype as well.