Bharat Ratna Award
India has produced a legacy of brave hearts since times immemorial.
Probably there is not enough space to measure their sacrifices. However,
we cannot close our eyes to those people who have made our country
proud by excelling in their own fields and bringing us international
recognition. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour (File referring to external site opens in a new window) ,
given for exceptional service towards advancement of Art, Literature
and Science, and in recognition of Public Service of the highest order.
It is also not mandatory that Bharat Ratna be awarded every year.
The original specifications for the award called for a circular gold
medal, 35 mm in diameter, with the sun and the Hindi legend "Bharat
Ratna" above and a floral wreath below. The reverse was to carry the
state emblem and motto. It was to be worn around the neck from a white
ribbon. This design was altered after a year.
Bharat Ratna Award
Bharat Ratna Award
(Reverse Side)
The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954. The first ever
Indian to receive this award was the famous scientist, Chandrasekhara
Venkata Raman. Since then, many dignitaries, each a whiz in varied
aspects of their career has received this coveted award.
In fact, our former President, Shri A. P. J Abdul Kalam is also a
recipient of this esteemed honour (1997). There is no written provision
that Bharat Ratna should be awarded to Indian citizens only. The award
has been awarded to a naturalized Indian citizen, Agnes Gonxha
Bojaxhiu, better known as Mother Teresa (1980) and to two non-Indians -
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela (1990). In 2009, the award
was conferred on famous Indian vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and eminent scientist Prof. C.N.R.
Rao have received the Bharat Ratna from President of India Shri Pranab
Mukherjee on February 4, 2014, in New Delhi.
Interesting facts and information about Bharat Ratna award
Bharat Ratna is the most prestigious award given by Indian
government. Anyone with a great performance in any field is eligible for this
honor.
- The medal looks like a peepul leaf with “Bharat Ratna” written on it in Devanagari script. An image of sun is also printed on it. The back side of the award carries the state emblem and motto.
- The award was started by formal President of India Rajendra Prasad on 2nd January, 1954. At that time only the alive people were eligible for their national service. Later these criteria were changed.
- The first person to receive Bharat Ratna was scientist C.V. Raman and the first person to receive Bharat Ratna after death is Lal Bahadur Shashtri.
- Rajiv Gandhi is the youngest receiver (after death, at age 47) of the award and Indira Gandhi is the youngest alive receiver (at age 54) of the award.
- Vallabhbhai Patel is the eldest to receive (after death, at age 116) the award and Gulzarilal Nanda is the eldest alive person to receive (at age 99) the award.
- Among 41 awards given so far only 2 awards were given to foreign citizen-Nelson Mandela (1990), Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987).
- Subhas Chandra Bose was awarded with Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1992. But due to controversy (as there is no evidence of Subhas Chandra Bose’s death) the award was withdrawn. It is the only incident in the history of Bharat Ratna that an award was withdrawn.
The perks associated with Bharat Ratna are
- Free first class flight journey anywhere in India.
- Free first class train journey.
- Pension equal to or 50% of Prime Minister of India’s salary.
- Can attend the Parliament meetings and sessions.
- Precedence at par with Cabinet Rank.
- Eligible for Z category protection, if needed.
- Special Guest in Republic Day and Independence Day.
- Status equal to VVIP.
Holders of the Bharat Ratna decoration comes in seventh position
jointly with former Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers of the Union,
Leaders of Chief Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Deputy
Chairman of Planning Commission of India and the respective Chief
Ministers of States.
