Why not Republic Day honours for NRIs?
By K.K. Katyal NEW DELHI, DEC. 27. Come Republic Day and there is lively anticipation about the State awards – at the top, Bharat Ratna and others and in the descending order, the Padam Vibhushan, Padam Bhushan and Padam Shri. The top honour has been bestowed on those who richly deserved it and, in some cases, the country honoured itself when it gave recognition to the `ratna’ – the jewel. At times, the acknowledgement from a grateful nation came belatedly, even posthumously. However, there were instances where the decision – or its timing – was regarded politically motivated. Public outcry in those cases served to drag the institution of honours to avoidable controversy. Hence the case for avoiding extraneous considerations in the interest of the credibility of the award and awardees. Whatever be the selection norm or the processing arrangement, the decisions, are taken, in the final analysis, by political bosses in the Government. Of late, the Indian diaspora has been in the limeligh
