How to win The Bharat Ratna?

(This story is based on original documents obtained using RTI (Right to Information) Act)

Here is a mind boggling story of an overwhelmingly concerned citizen who generously put forward his opinion on the prestigious ‘Bharat Ratna’ award while recommending himself  with appropriate reasons to do so. So hang on to awaken yourselves to one of a kind heroism.

For starters, ‘Bharat Ratna’ award is the highest civilian honour of the Republic of India, conferred in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order. The award was originally limited to achievements in the fields of arts, literature, science and public services, but the government has recently in 2011, expanded the criteria to include “any field of human endeavour”, “any field of human endeavour”. Did I write it twice? Yes, I did!! And yes, you too will get a glimpse of it very soon.

One Mr. Prabhakaran, an engineer by profession, from the state of Tamil Nadu; self-proclaimed son of God, son of Sun, messenger of God, wrote to various authorities to express why he believes he should be conferred the ‘Bharat Ratna’ Award.

Episode 1 – ‘Wake up Prez!’

Feb 10th 2013:- Letter to President of India – Shri. Pranab Mukherjee

Mr. Prabakaran took the stake of the entire country’s pride in his own hands. Wait! So why was India’s pride at stake? He wrote to the president recommending 11 names including his own for the award:

“’Bharat Ratna’ award have not been recommended for the past five years. It is a questionable one for the world, the other countries and also by the public of our nation. It is a prestigious matter of our Government of India. ‘Bharat Ratna’ award must be given to the following 11 immediately in my point of view”

Episode 2 – ‘Short-List’

Feb 28th 2013:- Letter to Ministry of Home affairs – Sunil Kumar Shinde

A few days later, Mr. Prabhakaran had generously pondered over the thought of being unfair on his part to recommend to the president, eleven individuals for the award. So he wrote back:

“I agree it is impossible to give the honourable award to all these eleven men, I want to mention 3 persons including me for the Honourable ‘Bharat Ratna’ “.

                   “As now, I am on Medical leave from 15.02.2013 to 16.03.2013 for 30 days, I am unable to contact and speak with you directly in this matter. I hope that this, my representation is considered in mind immediately and also accepted and forwarded…”

Apart from saving time for the top officials by cutting short the recommendation list, he also recommended himself as the strong contender for the award. Why did Mr. Prabhakaran recommend himself for the award? This is where it gets interesting, read the story further.

Episode 3 – ‘All is loose’

Mar 19th 2013:- Letter to AICC president – Sonia Gandhi

By now Mr. Prabakaran  has become restless over the award issue and this time, gives a new and a completely different perspective to the award. Inspired by movie dialogues, Prabakaran wrote his heart out to Sonia Gandhi. I think Sonia Gandhi might have had bouts of faintness after reading this.

“In my thought, opinion, God is a Loose; Dog is a loose; We, all men, all women are loose. [?, !, ? !]. (i.e), “Everybody knows something; Nobody knows everything.” Our Sarkar (government) donot announce the honourable award of our nation, ‘Bharat Ratna’ for about 5 years. I give my opinion about this loose thing, ‘Bharat Ratna’ award to our leaders. I want to say that the ‘Bharat Ratna’ award, a honourable award should be given to the following 6 men immediately to avoid wrong comments on the prestigious issue”.

Episode 4 – ‘Top three’

Apr 2nd 2013:- Letter to AICC president – Sonia Gandhi

Upon duly completing his medical leave, Mr. Prabhakaran with his rejuvenated mind put together his top 3 reasons for why he should be given the award. He writes back to Sonia Gandhi:

“I am eager to get the honourable “Bharat Ratna” award because of the following three reasons:

1. I, M. Prabakaran wish to give respect to Muslims as there are a number of Muslims have been honored by this award[ Dr. Zakir Hussain, Shri. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Shri. M. Abdul Kalam Azad, etc]. I think that when I receive this ‘Bharat Ratna Award I give respect to Muslims. We all know that, in world, only Muslims believe in God and also Muslims only satisfied in life given by God as it given to them.
2. My good father and my good sister would be satisfied in life and become happy when I receive this award
3. I want to become a rich man

 Episode 5 – ‘Mujhse Dosti Karogee’

Apr 9th 2013:- Letter to AICC president – Sonia Gandhi

An award wins accolades and a lot more. Hence, Mr. Prabakaran wrote back recommending 5 people for the award with his name in the second number, and this time gave an angle of fame as the reason why he should be given the award.

“Also, Now, I want to say that I want to have ‘Bharat Ratna’ award to win the friendship or making the friendship of my office Muslim staff. As I am an ‘Extraordinary Man’ XXXXX misunderstands me and hence if I am honoured, as I am an honourable person, XXXX would accept me as a good friend”

Episode 6 – ‘World Famous Story’

Jun 25th 2013:- Letter to President of India – Pranab Mukherjee

Since nothing else was working out, Mr. Prabakaran chose to showcase his talent in literature to win the award. In this letter to Pranab Mukherjee, our protaganist turned hobby writer brought to the notice of president of India, his contribution to the field of literature. He wrote:

“I request you to select & give me the best award, ‘Bharat Ratna’ for my world famous little story ‘Wonderful girls’ which describes the friendship between 3 girls, Hindu, christian and muslim girls those born in the same day, same date and year in a beautiful village in Tamil Nadu, and also for my theme of poems of new version. (i.e) I request you to give me the award for my work and ability in Tamil literature which this one, has been admired by all in my state and in other states”

Tired by the complete silence of the Government, Mr. Prabakaran stopped writing such letters. Looks like he is hurt by the indifference of the Government !!

PS: We tried hard to find Mr. Prabakaran and our efforts proved futile. If you find him, do let us know.

Checkout who else recommended Vajpayee for Bharat Ratna in this infographic.