Pic - The ILLUMINARY and classic illustrations of the achievements of Major Dhyanchand
Ravi Teja Mandapakka has been a tremendous writer on Hockey and he has written several articles on Hockey which has captivated the imagination of the people world over .
Here in this article he shares and he writes his views on WHY SHOULD NOT THE BHARAT RATNA BE CONFERRED TO MAJOR DHYANCHAND AND WHEN IT WOULD BE CONFERRD UPON HIM.
In this piece that he writes to the Madam President of India, he totally dissects as to WHY THE AWARD SHOULD BE CONFERRED UPON HIM IMMEDIATELY.
The Undying Flame Of Major Dhyanchand
Madam President,
As I pen this letter, my heart brims with reverence and hope. Major Dhyan Chand’s story
is not just history; it is the lifeblood of every Indian who has ever dreamed of
transcending limitations. It is the quiet pulse of a nation that, even in its darkest hours,
found in him a reason to believe, to stand tall, and to stride forward.
I write to you not just as a columnist, a poet, or a chronicler of our nation
achievements, but as a citizen humbled by the magnitude of Dhyan Chand’s legacy. I
write as someone who believes in the India he envisioned through his brilliance—an
India that rises above challenges, that celebrates its heroes, and that never forgets its
roots.
In the chronicles of this vast and venerable land, there exist few names that ring as true
and pure as that of Dhyan Chand. Much like the eternal flame at Rajghat, a solemn
tribute to the Father of the Nation, the legacy of Dhyan Chand burns brightly and
unyields to the winds of time. It is a flame that not only illuminates the annals of Indian
hockey but also serves as a beacon of inspiration, casting its warm light upon
generations yet to come. To let this flame flicker or fade would be an abdication of our
duty to remember, to celebrate, and to honour.
Madam President,
It is a truth most grievous that, despite his deeds shining brighter than a thousand stars
in the firmament of our sporting history, Dhyan Chand yet waits for the honour most
befitting his unparalleled legacy—the Bharat Ratna. A curious oversight, this, as though
the sands of time have conspired to shroud his worth. Yet, we must not let the hand of
fate, unkind and capricious, dictate his remembrance. For if ever a man deserved the
laurel wreath of eternal renown, it is he.
In the days of yore when India lay shackled by the yoke of foreign dominion, the stick of
Dhyan Chand became a sceptre of defiance. On the hallowed grounds of the Olympic
Games, he led the charge like a knight of old, his every move a rallying cry for a nation
yearning to reclaim its dignity. He played not merely for gold but for the soul of India
herself, proving to the world that our spirit, though bowed, could never be broken. It was
said that his feats on the field beggared belief, his stick a wand, and he the magician.
The ball, it seemed, obeyed his every whim, and defenders fell before him as autumn
leaves before the wind. Indeed, his very name struck fear into the hearts of adversaries,
and yet it kindled a fire of pride within the breast of every Indian. Were his life’s work to
be weighed against the treasures of kings, it would tip the scales without effort.
To delay his recognition any longer is to trifle with the sands of history, to let slip through
our fingers the chance to honour a man whose shadow looms large over the annals of
time. For as surely as the rivers carve their course to the sea, so too does justice find its
way, albeit oft belatedly.
Yet, as we contemplate the towering legacy of Dhyan Chand, it is not merely his
mastery on the field that demands our recognition. It is the broader resonance of his
achievements—their ability to transcend the bounds of sport and embody the
aspirations of a nation. His story is not one of individual glory alone but of a collective
awakening, a testament to what a resolute spirit can achieve even in the face of
adversity.
This is where the conversation about the Bharat Ratna takes on a deeper significance.
For in honouring Dhyan Chand, we are not merely celebrating an individual; we are
paying tribute to an era of dreams, determination, and dignity. His name is more than a
reminder of a golden age in Indian hockey; it is an invocation of values that define the
very essence of our nationhood.
Madam President,
Humanity, in its essence, is a social animal, drawn inexorably to the warmth of
community and the balm of shared purpose. In this theatre of life, recognition acts as
both salve and spur—a mark of acceptance, an affirmation of one's worth in the eyes of
the world. It is no mere trifle, for even the ancients knew that a laurel wreath upon the
brow could stir the heart more deeply than gold or gemstone. From the halls of social
psychology, it is well espoused: the act of acknowledgment, of applause from one’s
peers, releases in the soul a cascade of joy, as sure and as steady as the river flowing
to the sea. A simple a heartfelt comment—these, though transient, bring cheer;
how much more, then, does a nation’s gratitude, expressed through its highest honours,
elevate the spirit?
Among these pinnacles of recognition, the Bharat Ratna shines brightest—a jewel of
unparalleled lustre, bestowed sparingly and with solemnity. It is more than a mere
award; it is a nation’s most hallowed whisper of reverence, a testament to contributions
so profound that they shape the very identity of India herself. Yet, as we speak of such
immortal glories, a question arises: how many of us, dwelling in the clamorous rush of
modernity, can name even ten Bharat Ratna awardees? I daresay the number is
woefully small.
Indeed, in the teeming multitude of India’s population, few are those who bear the
names of these luminaries in their hearts. The swift currents of social media, with its
relentless tide of information, have made remembering an arduous affair, a feat akin to
holding water in one’s hands. But herein lies the rub—among those whose names
endure, who are recalled even amidst this storm of forgetfulness, are the ones who
have left an indelible imprint on the collective conscience. And is this not the true
measure of greatness? To live on in memory, long after the mortal frame has returned to
dust, is a feat far greater than any temporal accolade.
This, then, brings us back to Dhyan Chand—the magician of hockey, the colossus who
strode the sporting arena with grace and might unmatched. His greatness was never in
pursuit of reward, for he played not for the Bharat Ratna, nor for gold, but for the joy of
the game and the honour of his motherland. Like a true karmayogi, his work was its own
reward, selfless and steadfast, yet it is this very purity of purpose that renders him most
deserving of the nation’s highest recognition.
We are all, in our own way, seekers of meaning, striving to leave behind a trace, a
legacy that whispers, “I was here.” Yet, the Bharat Ratna is not given for such striving
alone—it is reserved for those whose lives have not only enriched themselves but
ennobled the lives of countless others. Its recipients are not seekers of glory but its
quiet custodians, their work imbued with the rare virtue of selflessness.
As the nation debates who among its many greats should next receive this honour, let
us remember the words of the poet, who said, The light of a single candle can
illuminate the darkest night.; Dhyan Chand, with his singular brilliance, not only
illuminated the field of hockey but also kindled the spirit of a nation yearning for freedom
and dignity.
In contemplating Dhyan Chand’s unparalleled contributions, it is apt to liken his artistry
on the hockey field to the timeless works of India’s illustrious painters. Much like Raja
Ravi Varma, who immortalized mythological epics on canvas with his brush as a wand,
and Sailoz Mookherjea, who captured fleeting emotions in bold, fluid strokes, Dhyan
Chand transformed his medium—the hockey turf—into a vessel of transcendent beauty.
His strokes, not with paint but with the deft movements of his stick, rendered matches
into masterpieces, leaving audiences awestruck by his creative genius.
While Ravi Varma articulated India’s cultural identity through his mythological
masterpieces and Mookherjea revolutionized modern Indian art, Dhyan Chand forged a
legacy that carved Indian hockey name into the annals of world sport. Just as the
canvases of these painters hang in galleries as national treasures, Dhyan Chand’s
brilliance resides in the hearts of every Indian, his artistry a symbol of excellence and
pride.
To honour him with the Bharat Ratna would be to acknowledge his place among
these creators of India’s cultural and sporting heritage—recognition long overdue.
Madam President,
I implore you to consider this plea not as a demand but as a heartfelt request.
Bestowing the Bharat Ratna upon Dhyan Chand would not only honour the man but
also rekindle a spirit of national pride and unity. And, in doing so, we will be
immortalizing a man whose legacy is etched not only in the annals of Indian hockey but
also in the collective consciousness of the nation .
I leave this letter in your hands, and trust in the wisdom and grace with which you steer
our nation. To honour Dhyan Chand is to light a torch for the generations to come,
illuminating a path of perseverance, artistry, and unwavering commitment to one's
purpose.
Let us keep this flame alive, brighter than ever, as a symbol of what we, as a
nation, hold dear.
Yours sincerely,
Ravi Teja Mandapaka.
Jai Bharat
That Is It and that speaks all about it
.Regards and Thanks
Pics
Mr Shyamal Bhattacharjee, the author was born at West Chirimiri Colliery at District Surguja, Chattisgarh on July 6th 1959 He received his early education at Carmel Convent School Bishrampur and later at Christ Church Boys' Higher Secondary School at Jabalpur. He later joined Hislop College at Nagpur and completed his graduation in Science and he also added a degree in B A thereafter. He joined the HITAVADA, a leading dailies of Central India at Nagpur as a Sub-Editor ( Sports ) but gave up to complete his MBA in 1984 He thereafter added a Diploma In Export Management. He has authored SEVEN books namely Notable Quotes and Noble Thought published by Pustak Mahal in 2001 Indian Cricket : Faces That Changed It published by Manas Publications in 2009 and Essential Of Office Management published by NBCA, Kolkatta in 2012, GOLDEN QUOTES on INSPIRATION , SORROW , PEACE and LIFE published by B.F.C Publications, Lucknow, , and QUOTES:: Evolution and Origin of Management Electives by Clever Fox Publishing, Chennai ,From Dhyan To Dhan :: Indian Hockey - Sudden Death Or Extra Time published by BOOKS CLINIC Publishing House , Bilaspur , Chattisgarh and his FIRST book on Hindi poem, which reads as " BHED HAI GEHRA - BAAT JARA SI " and MIDAS TOUCH AND MIRACLES OF INDIAN SPORTS , published by Books Clinics , Bilaspur , Chhattisgarh,
He has a experience of about 35 years in Marketing , and Business Analytics .
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