Bharat Ratna for Anna
'Bharat Ratna', the highest civlian award from the President of India has been conferred on Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the maestro of classical music.
Bharat Ratna was declared for Panditji or Anna, as he is fondly called about a month ago. He was requested to indicate his preference for coming to New Delhi to receive the decoration of the award from the President. However, on account of his frail health, Panditji could not travel to Delhi. Panditji, on his part, indicated his preference for receiving the award at his residence in Pune. He also had made it clear that the presentation may be a low key affair without involving too many people.
According to wishes of Panditji and his family members, the decoration of the award of Bharat Ratna comprising a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India and a medallion was presented to Panditji at 'Kalashree', his resident in Navi Peth at the hands of A. E. Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. On this occasion, a commemorative brochure containing the citation and photograph of Panditji was also been released.
Before Panditji, singers like Satyajit Ray, M. S. Subbulakshmi, Lata Mageshkar have received this award.
This is a great achievement not only for Pune but India also. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi deserves this award much more than anyone else in the country.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the thing here is that of the probity. I forgot to write about it at the time of posting the post, but government erred in not sidelining the protocol for the sake of honouring a maestro. To give the highest civilian award to a legend at the hands of a junior officer is a grave injustice to the whole comcept of Bharat Ratna.
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