Being the Best

In an interview, one well known actor stated that he didn’t approve of ‘award functions’ as they had categories for performers called ‘Best’ whereas in his view nobody was ’Best’ (or Perfect) in creative arts but there were good and sometimes, great performances and creations ! Some artists shun the glittering ‘award’ ceremonies citing that subjectivity, bias or parochialism remains attached to them. History is replete with legends who had not accepted ‘awards’ conferred on them to register their protest in support of a cause.

There is also an element of unkindness in declaring who’s the ‘Best’. In our school days there were some who always stood first in class but I recall one great teacher saying ‘To me all three, the first, second and third are best’ and there’s little to choose from them. With some effort, second could upstage the first, if he/she took that place for granted. In life’s journey, however, it doesn’t matter how you started, it’s really where you end up !

Having said that, there is a natural attraction that people work towards ‘rewards and recognition’  which is one of the most essential ingredients in the recipe to fulfillment in work and life. It can come in different forms of work-life balance like a preferred field or place of work, leading a prestigious project or coveted post and rising in the hierarchy ladder with an impressive title and backed and supported by a happy family set-up. As societal values keep evolving, today’s youth isn’t too preoccupied with token awards !

It was said in the good old days ‘There’s no short-cut to success’ and that the intelligent needed to be also diligent to get results. Yet, along with those ‘who achieved greatness’ through sheer dint of merit and years of hard work, didn’t we come across those ‘who had greatness thrust upon them’ ! Despite the fool-proof system of assessing caliber and parameters of performance that applied to everyone, the ones chosen for ‘greatness’ were on top for qualities of suitability- being at right place, right time with right people !

It is in the field of Sports that the ‘charade’ of being the best can get exposed quickly. An initial ‘flash in the pan’ is no guarantee for future success and consistency of class is paramount for remaining in the game. One may have won the ‘Gold’ at an event but the hopes of a billion people will be for repeat of the golden performance and every award that brings with it honour & accolades, also brings with it, great burden of expectations.

As we’re witnessing in the Asian Games,2023, sporting excellence is about perseverance, commitment and mental strength apart from intense training. Dean Karnazes famously said ‘Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up’ !