National Awards

 National Awards.
It is a closely guarded secret formula as to how it is decided as to who all will be nominated for these awards Year after year they leave us wondering as to why some were in the list and some missing.The illustrious Hockey wizard , Dayan Chand,    is only one amongst the many.Some ,not so well known ,that could not have been but noticed  by the powers that be.To mention but one or two.
Brigadier Usman ,is supposed to have lead an INDIAN ARMY Brigade in Kashmir ,in 1947-48,most valiantly ,to not only hold but drive back,the Pakistani intruders in a remarkable display of endurance ,determination,and unalloyed commitment to Indian Solidarity.At a time when the divided forces were still in the throes of reorganising.How many of this brave brigade including,it commander ,were recognised for their courage? I am at a loss to find any details.
A few decades ago, an adventure loving couple from Kolkata,
established a world record for circumnavigating the world by car,an Indian car.Fought a long  legal battle with the Guinness Book of Records,authorities,won the battle, waved the damages awarded,by the court to be paid by the Guinness Book for not declaring him world record holder,and made yet another attempt to beat a new record that had in the interim been created,by two RAF officers of Britain .The couple again battered the new world record of circumnavigating the world ,in 44 days by accomplishing it in 39 days.A record that will stand for all times to come, as it was found by subsequent attempts that it was too hazardous to be permitted to continue as a event.
To best of my knowledge,except for some mention in a few news papers and some token praise,nothing much was done to appreciate/commend this outstanding example of Indian persistence ,determination and courage.An act effort that would undoubtedly have encouraged /imbued the Indian youth with the spirit of adventure,
The couple is ,fortunately still amongst us ,is Mr.SALAHUDDIN CHOUDHARY  and Mrs .N. Choudhry.May his tribe increase and make the country proud,even if unsung.Incidentally,it was also an example of national integration....an inter community marriage, that created a different type of love jehad that few knew ,and was not as vociferously talked about as today s love jehad is.