In a country where even standing in a queue requires qualification, a fascinating revolution has taken place awards no longer demand merit. Welcome to the golden era of “Self-Made Legends,” where the only real achievement required is the ability to tag the right people and criticize the wrong ones.
Once upon a time, awards were given for excellence years of hard work, sleepless nights, and genuine contribution. Today, however, excellence has been replaced by “excellent networking.” Why write a book when you can write a Facebook post? Why compose a song when you can compose a rant? Why serve society when you can simply serve sarcasm daily on social media?
Social media has indeed democratized heroism. Now, anyone with a smartphone, stable internet, and unstable opinions can rise to stardom overnight. Criticize a well-known leader hero! Mock a respected writer intellectual! Take a dig at teachers or police revolutionary icon! The formula is simple: the less you have achieved, the louder you must shout.
And just when this newly born “hero” is adjusting their crown of hashtags, enters the prestigious “Social Media Honor Army.” These are the modern-day award distributors faster than online delivery and more generous than government schemes. Their mission is noble: to ensure no unqualified individual feels left out of the award ecosystem.
Within hours, a grand announcement appears:
“We are proud to honor Mr./Ms. X for their outstanding contribution to society.”
Contribution? Nobody knows. Society? Still searching.
The award ceremonies themselves are masterpieces of comedy. A rented hall, ten plastic chairs, a banner printed in Comic Sans font, and a microphone that works only when not needed. The chief guest is usually another award winner from last week, and the audience consists of three confused relatives and one bored photographer. And then comes the emotional speech:
“I am humbled to receive this award…”
Of course, humility is easy when the achievement is imaginary.
Ironically, the more hollow the achievement, the heavier the trophy. It shines brightly not because of its value, but because it has never been exposed to actual hard work. These awards travel quickly from shelf to shelf, gathering dust faster than respect.
Meanwhile, real achievers quietly continue their work unnoticed, untagged, and thankfully, unawarded by the “Honor Army.” They might lack certificates printed overnight, but they carry something far more dangerous credibility.
In this grand circus of manufactured greatness, one must appreciate the confidence of these “awardees.” It takes immense courage to celebrate nothing as something and to package emptiness as excellence.
So next time you see someone proudly displaying their latest “International Global National Universal Excellence Award,” don’t be surprised. Just remember you are living in an age where awards are not earned, they are arranged.
And in this booming industry of borrowed glory, the only qualification that truly matters is the ability to look important while doing absolutely nothing.