Who is Bharat Ratan?

Its amazing how our national awards (padam shris, Bharat ratans etc) are dictated by media frenzy, lobbying and political middlemen. The awards are questionable, in the first place. What is the criteria? Honesty, dedication, nationalism, self-less service of the people – Hardly. In any case, if these awards are to be given why to actors, singers or cricket (which is not even an Olympic discipline) players. Why not to soldiers or teachers and doctors working in rural areas, scientists, engineers etc.