Padma uproar

 

 

Dear Editor, thank you for your fearless and thought-provoking editorial on “The sanctity of Padma awards...” (TSI, Feb 1-7), being conferred by the government of India every year. People of the nation feel that it is a great privilege to get Padma Award and also think that all awardees are distinguished personalities in their respective fields. The team that selects the awardees for Padma awards should belong to the fields of fine arts or science except in drafting some speeches for the concerned ministers or some defective acts, which will ultimately be struck down by the Supreme Court or the high courts pointing out their unconstitutional provisions. In fact, the selection should be transparent. The Indian government should take significant steps to assure that such awards remain prestigious. They should constitute an independent body presided by the President, including personalities from various walks of life and make the section transparent like Nobel or Oscar Prize.

C.S. Ramachandra Murthy

Hyderabad