Sports ministry considered Dhyan Chand more deserving of Bharat Ratna than Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar vs Dhyan Chand – the Bharat Ratna debate continues

According to a document from the PMO which has been made public, it has emerged that the sports ministry had recommended Dhyan Chand, and not Sachin Tendulkar, for the Bharat Ratna which was awarded to the Master Blaster last week for his 24-year-long career in international cricket.

Activist Subhash Agarwal retrieved documents from the Prime Minister’s office and the sports ministry, through the Right to Information Act, which reveal that the late Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player, was not given much thought by the PMO even though he was the recommended candidate from the sports ministry. The documents also reveal that other suggestions from the sports ministry were ignored by the PMO, which included the names of “Payyoli Express” P.T. Usha and chess legend Vishwanathan Anand.

Although the decision to recommend the prestigious award to the President lies solely with the PMO, the officials are free to consult any third party for suggestions. The President then gives his approval after which the list of awardees are announced by his secretariat.

In a letter dated July 16, 2013, sports minister Jiterndra Singh suggested that Dhyan Chand be considered for the Bharat Ratna for his contribution to Indian sports which includes three Olympic medals. He wrote in his letter, “Late Major Dhyan Chand is the most deserving sportsperson for being conferred with Bharat Ratna posthumously, as he fulfils the criteria of exceptional service/performance of highest order in the field of sports… which made the country proud.

“It was for his amazing performance that he was nicknamed ‘hockey wizard’. During the period he played hockey, the Indian hockey team reached glorious heights…. Not only was he a player par excellence, he was a thorough team man.”

“Despite his outstanding performances in the field of hockey and the adulation and great respect he got from the public internationally, he remained a very simple, humble and selfless person throughout his life. He was the finest example of team camaraderie and bonhomie.

“In recognition of his achievements, one of the sports awards is named after him. Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games… is given to honour those sports persons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports even after their retirement…. Further, his birthday, 29th August, is celebrated all over India as the National Sports Day.

The Prime Minister, seemingly impressed by Jitendra Singh’s high praise for Dhyan Chand, marked the recommendation letter with the words “Principal Secretary to examine”. Unfortunately, however, the letter seemed to have been lost among the bureaucratic shuffle of papers.

It was more than a month later, in August 2013, that PMO director Rajiv Topno stated, “the matter (of Dhyan Chand) may be put up before Principal Secretary to PM in the month of December, 2013, when the list of Padma Awardees is being finalised.” After that, however, there was again silence on the matter of Dhyan Chand’s consideration for the award.

On 14th November, Rajiv Tonpo requested for Sachin’s profile from the sports ministry, to complete the letter to be sent to the President for the Bharat Ratna. Perhaps not coincidentally, that same day Tendulkar was playing his last international Test match against West Indies in Mumbai.

Tendulkar and prominent Indian scientist C.N.R. Rao were eventually recommended to the President for the Bharat Ratna. On 16th November, the awardees were finalised.

It is unclear whether the PMO and the President considered the late Dhyan Chand in their discussions before finalising the award. What is clear, however, is the India’s sports ministry, perhaps the most credible authority on the achievements of Indian sportspersons, thought that it was Dhyan Chand, and not Sachin Tendulkar, who deserved to be given the Bharat Ratna this year.