Sir — The Bharat Ratna is conferred to a person in recognition of his or her service of the highest order. It was originally confined to the arts, literature, science and public service, which subsequently included the field of human endeavour.
But most Bharat Ratna awardees are politicians. The only leader who deserved the Bharat Ratna posthumously was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who integrated the princely States, thus creating a united India. But he was ignored and was conferred the Bharat Ratna more than 40 years after his death.
Also, while Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the Government forgot Dhyan Chand who had brought laurels to our country in hockey.