Bharat Ratna: India’s Highest Civilian Award
The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India, established on January 2, 1954. It is awarded for exceptional service towards the advancement of art, literature, and science, and in recognition of public service of the highest order. Initially, it was limited to achievements in the fields of literature, science, and public services, but later, the criterion was expanded to include any field of human endeavor.
Historical Background
The Bharat Ratna was instituted by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The award does not carry any monetary grant, but it comes with a medallion and a certificate (Sanad) signed by the President of India.
Design of the Award
The award originally had a circular shape made of gold with a sunburst design. However, it was changed in 1957 to its present form: a peepal leaf-shaped medallion with a sunburst in the center and the words “Bharat Ratna” inscribed in Devanagari script on the obverse. The reverse side has the state emblem and motto.
Notable Recipients
Since its inception, the Bharat Ratna has been awarded to numerous distinguished individuals:
- C. Rajagopalachari: The first Indian to receive the Bharat Ratna in 1954, recognized for his role in the Indian independence movement and as the last Governor-General of India.
- Dr. S. Radhakrishnan: Also awarded in 1954, he was a philosopher and statesman who served as the first Vice-President and second President of India.
- Dr. C.V. Raman: The third recipient in 1954, known for his pioneering work in the field of light scattering, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Complete List of Bharat Ratna Awardees
Here is a complete list of all Bharat Ratna awardees till date, including the most recent awardees from 2024:
| Year | Awardee | Field |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | C. Rajagopalachari | Public Affairs |
| 1954 | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan | Literature, Education |
| 1954 | Dr. C.V. Raman | Science |
| 1955 | Bhagwan Das | Literature, Education |
| 1955 | Dr. M. Visvesvaraya | Civil Engineering |
| 1955 | Jawaharlal Nehru | Public Affairs |
| 1957 | Govind Ballabh Pant | Public Affairs |
| 1958 | Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve | Social Work |
| 1961 | Bidhan Chandra Roy | Public Affairs |
| 1961 | Purushottam Das Tandon | Public Affairs |
| 1962 | Dr. Rajendra Prasad | Public Affairs |
| 1963 | Zakir Husain | Public Affairs |
| 1963 | Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane | Social Work |
| 1966 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1971 | Indira Gandhi | Public Affairs |
| 1975 | V.V. Giri | Public Affairs |
| 1976 | K. Kamaraj | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1980 | Mother Teresa | Social Work |
| 1983 | Vinoba Bhave | Social Work (Posthumous) |
| 1987 | Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan | Social Work |
| 1988 | M.G. Ramachandran | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1990 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1990 | Nelson Mandela | Public Affairs |
| 1991 | Rajiv Gandhi | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1991 | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1991 | Morarji Desai | Public Affairs |
| 1992 | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1992 | J.R.D. Tata | Trade and Industry (Posthumous) |
| 1997 | Gulzarilal Nanda | Public Affairs |
| 1997 | Aruna Asaf Ali | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1997 | Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Science, Engineering |
| 1998 | M.S. Subbulakshmi | Arts |
| 1998 | Chidambaram Subramaniam | Public Affairs |
| 1999 | Jayaprakash Narayan | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 1999 | Ravi Shankar | Arts |
| 1999 | Amartya Sen | Literature, Education |
| 2001 | Lata Mangeshkar | Arts |
| 2001 | Ustad Bismillah Khan | Arts |
| 2009 | Bhimsen Joshi | Arts |
| 2014 | C.N.R. Rao | Science |
| 2014 | Sachin Tendulkar | Sports |
| 2015 | Madan Mohan Malaviya | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 2015 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | Public Affairs |
| 2019 | Pranab Mukherjee | Public Affairs |
| 2019 | Nanaji Deshmukh | Social Work (Posthumous) |
| 2019 | Bhupen Hazarika | Arts (Posthumous) |
| 2024 | Karpoori Thakur | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 2024 | Lal Krishna Advani | Public Affairs |
| 2024 | P.V. Narasimha Rao | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 2024 | Chaudhary Charan Singh | Public Affairs (Posthumous) |
| 2024 | M.S. Swaminathan | Science |
Controversies and Criticisms
The award has not been without controversies. There have been debates over the selection process, political influences, and the exclusion of deserving candidates. For instance, the omission of sports personalities and industrialists has often been a topic of discussion until it was expanded to include them.
Impact and Significance
The Bharat Ratna holds immense prestige and is seen as a symbol of national gratitude for outstanding service. It inspires individuals to strive for excellence in their respective fields and contributes to nation-building.
Conclusion
The Bharat Ratna is more than just an award; it is a recognition of the highest order of contributions to society and the nation. It honors those who have made a significant impact in various fields and serves as an inspiration for future generations.
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