A'war'd for or aganist the awardees?

I have never really given much of a thought to the Padma awards or any other awards that the government or state announce. All I have managed to do is read the names in the newspapers and leave it at that. Never have I gone beyond that. Inspite of the controversies that surround the awards year after year. Numerous awardees have refused the award and numerous have questioned the selection process. It never really bothered me much. But since the past couple of years my brain refused to accept the names in the list. The names there made me wonder what these awards are for. Are they for popularity or for excellence in a field? Then again how is excellence defined? Looking at the names it sure looks like they are for popularity. How else can one explain the inclusion of Sania Mirza or Shah Rukh Khan in the list of awardees? No doubt what Sania has achieved is a great feat. She has taken women’s tennis in India to a new high and has been an inspiring factor for the youth. But does that entitle such a high honour? She may have played against top players on the circuit and in a couple of tournaments reached the quarter finals. But is that enough? After all she still has no Grand Slam title to her credit. She has won a WTA tournament, but then doesn’t she need to be a little more consistent and get to the winning ways more often?
Similarly does Shah Rukh Khan deserve the Padma award? Am sure all those King Khan fans would consider the award as a just one. And argue that he has excelled very well in his field and deserves the honour. But is that the basis on which these awards are given? Apart from a Swades, how many of his films gave a social message? Still his inclusion is a little justifiable considering his popularity, which is reaching new highs with each passing year and for the fact that his films provide wholesome entertainment to the Indians. But then, why did it take so long to honour AK Hangal?
Then again there are times when people like Anil Kumble are considered for the award, years after consistently performing well. Shouldn’t people like him have been bestowed with the award years back? Why does it take the government so many years to recognise such people? Just because they have no fan following and popularity like a Sania!
Also how does one explain the fact that veterans are placed on same pedestal with new-comers? No wonder these awards are offending some of the awardees and them refusing it.
The selection process needs to be more logical and explanatory than now is.