Dear Editor,
The Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, is given in recognition of exceptional service and performance of the highest order in a field of human endeavour, without the distinction of race, occupation, position or gender. The recognition must be given during one’s lifetime so as to make the award meaningful and the awardee proud. There is no point in awarding the most deserving ones when they are not around, since they are neither there to appreciate nor feel honoured. One’s talent or service to the country must be recognised when one is alive. Conferring recognition posthumously must be, therefore, done away with, so as to preserve the uniqueness and value of the awards.
Jit Raj
Hiranagar, Kathua
