Bharat Ratna – History and Winners

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Bharat Ratna is the highest civil merit order in India and is only awarded in recognition of the highest merits. The medal with a diameter of 35 mm bears a sun and the words Bharat Ratna in Devanagari (including Hindi). It is surrounded by a wreath of flowers.

This award was established on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of remarkable service and performance of the highest order, without distinction of race, occupation, position, cast, or sex.

This award is only for high levels of service to the Nation. Such services include artistic, literary, and scientific achievement, as well as “recognition of service to the nation to the highest degree.” Unlike knights, those who recognize themselves with the award do not hold a special title

The first Bharat Ratna winner is a famous Indian scientist, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. And the first foreigner to receive Bharat Ratna is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in 1987, for his contributions to the Indian Independent’s struggle and subsequently for better relations between India and Pakistan.

Bharat Ratna
Bharat Ratna

Facts About Bharat Ratna

  • Established: 2 January 1954
  • Category of: Bharat Ratna
  • Type: National civilian
  • Country: India
  • Presented by: President of India
  • Total: 48
  • First award winner:
    C. Rajagopalachari
    Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
    C. V. Raman

History

The medal was awarded for the first time in 1954 did not allow it to be awarded posthumously (which probably explains why it was never awarded to Mahatma Gandhi), but this provision was added to the statutes of January 1955 hence the rewards thus awarded since.

Although there is no requirement to have Indian nationality in order to obtain Bharat Ratna, it has long seemed a natural obligation. It was, however, attributed to Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in 1987, a Pakistani Freedom fighter in the independence movement, and to Nelson Mandela in 1990.

According to its original description, the medal is circular and gold, 35 mm in diameter, with the inscription Bharat Ratna in Sanskrit, as well as a sun and a floral garland and, on the reverse, the state emblem and the national currency. It is worn around the neck hung on a white ribbon 2 inches wide (51 mm).

It seems that no copy meeting this description has ever been awarded and, a year later, its design was modified: it is now in the shape of a leaf of pipal, with a sun and the same inscription and, at the reverse, the state emblem and the national motto.

Bharat Ratna Benefits

The Bharat Ratna benefit is the awardees are entitled to a diplomatic passport. A diplomatic passport entitles them to a separate immigration counter, access to the VIP lounge in airports all over the world. Apart from this, the Indian Missions abroad extend them all possible support for their visits to that country.

Bharat Ratna Prize Money

Bharat Ratna is the most respectable award given by the government of India so you can’t give any prize tag for this award. That’s why it doesn’t carry any prize money. It’s only a respect for the award recipient.

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