Until a couple of years ago, sportsmen were not honoured with the Bharat Ratna award. But then, the Congress party changed the rule just for conferring the India's highest civilian award to the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in 2014.
Yes, Sachin Tendulkar deserves the award. But then, it was too early to adjudge the supreme award to Tendulkar. The Congress party indulged in such a nauseating gesture just to get political mileage in 2014's general elections but nothing of that sort happened, later.
De facto, Wizard of Hockey Major Dhyan Chand would have received Bharat Ratna long back. It was Dhyan Chand, who led India won the Olympic gold medals successively in 1928, 1932 and 1936. Into the bargain, his influence fell upon the hockey players of next generations which made them win 8 golds in total, a feat never achieved by any country.
The Congress made itself humiliated ignoring Dhyan Chand's name for Bharat Ratna.
However, our prime minister Narendra Modi knows quite well how to respect legendary personalities.
That's why, 'Rajiv Khel Ratna' award's named has been changed as 'The Major Dhyan Chand Award'. This the best sports award for India. Well, Modi's decision is lauded by one and all and it's said it's a befitting tribute to the all time great legendary sports personality Major Dhyan Chand.