There is a "Chopayee" by Tulsi Das;
Kavita kar Tulsi na lase, Kavita lasi pa tulsi ki kala
Any award has its value only if awardee really deserves. If one goes through the list of "Padam" awards, except for few, we hardly know who these people are and what their contributions are. I personally know how these awards are distributed and therefor don't have much regard. Sahid Bhagat Singh did not sacrifice his life for Bharat Ratan. Let us live life by our own convictions and not by yard-sticks of these dubious awards. I know of quite a few of very junior doctors from AIIMS who got these awards much before Prof Venugopal. I also know the politicians who got them these awards. Appointments of Vice Chancellors, Governors, Chairmen of staff selection boards, UGC etc all fall in the same category. Any award loses its value if one has to lobby for it. However, in politics this will continue and let us not bother too much about it. Nelson Mandela was also awarded Bharat Ratan. He might be great man, however, I don't understand what he contributed to India. L.N Mittal lives in UK and most of his business is outside India. One wonders how he deserves Padam Vibhushan. However, once again, why bother so much.
RK^2