Sources said the state government’s recommendation for the 2013 awardees went on December 12, “which was quite late”. A source said: “This might be one reason for the Centre not considering the recommendation.”

This is not the first time the recommendations from the state reached late. A couple of years back it happened in the case of police medals too.

All the six names were overlooked and the Padma Shri awards in the field of literature and education went to Prof (Dr) Jagdish Prasad Singh, retired Head, Department of English, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, and Professor (Capt) Mohammad Sharaf-e-Alam, first Vice Chancellor (2004 and 2007) of Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University, Patna.

Dr Singh is a native of village Mirganj in Rohtas district. He wrote both in Hindi and English. He has written 10 novels and 200 stories in Hindi. Some of his novels are Indradhanush, Anusuya Godhuli, Swapna Dansha and Bhagirathi. His stories have been published in seven volumes. In English literature, he has seven novels to his credit. This includes The Curfew and The Sacred Fire. He has also written three critical books and compiled more than a dozen anthologies.

He taught English for about four decades in Magadh University. He is father of Mihir Kumar Singh, senior IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

On the other hand Dr Alam, a well-known Persian scholar, served as Head of Department, Persian, at B N College. He had also received Certificate of Honour from the President of India. He has written several books in Persian.

According to reports a high-level committee headed by Bihar chief secretary Ashok Kumar Sinha had finalized the list of six state government nominees, comprising noted urologist and former national president of Indian Medical Association Dr Ajay Kumar, neurologist Dr Binay Karak, Dolphin expert Prof R K Sinha of Patna University’s Zoology Department, painter Shyam Sharma, advocate general Ram Balak Mahto and singer Shanti Jain.

Dr Kumar’s name was also cleared at the PMO level. The mandatory IB verification was also done. In 2010 too, Dr Kumar’s name was sent by the state government.

" It was surprising that my name was dropped despite recommendation of expert group" said Dr. Kumar

Meanwhile, the former general secretary of the Progressive Writers Association, Khagendra Thakur, said in a statement that "these awards have no meaning now. They should be scrapped."
Another noted Hindi and Maithili writer, Usha Kiran Khan, said, "Padma award has lost its relevance." She said there were lots of talented people in Bihar.

However, congratulating the two Padma Shri winners from Bihar, noted Hindi writer and critique Alok Dhanwa said there were several personalities, including R S Sharma, Nagarjuna, Pyare Mohan Sahaya, Satya Narain, Chandra Kishore Jaiswal, Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Arun Kamal, Shaiwal, Hrishikesh Sulabh, Usha Kiran Khan, Nachiketa, Karmendu Shishir and R R Diwakar, who deserved Padma award from Bihar.

Prof R K Sinha has earned the Order of the Golden Ark, the most excellent Order of The Netherlands. His recommendation weighed heavily in the declaration of dolphin as the national aquatic animal.
Urologist Ajay Kumar was the B C Roy National Awards winner in 2007 and is a World Medical Association Council member.

Shyam Sharma, the former principal of College of Arts and Craft, Patna, has earned numerous awards. While Shanti Jain is a popular voice on All India Radio.Vinay Karak has been a neurologist of fame.
Some social activists were in favour of “scrapping” of such awards on the plea that the criteria to select the awardees “are not foolproof”.

According to Razi Ahmad, the secretary of the Gandhi Sangrahalaya said Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan had opposed conferring of the Padma awards during the movement against Emergency. “We are also opposed to civilian award,” he added.