The "Bharat Ratna” Award was established on 2nd January 1954 by the first President of India- Babu Rajendra Prasad along with the following 3 “Padma Awards”:
Padma Vibhusan
Padma Bhusan
Padma Shri
The “Bharat Ratna” Award is the highest Civilian Award in India. “Bharat Ratna” means “Gem of India”.
"Bharat Ratna" Award is conferred on Indian Citizens, including resident and non-resident , and also on Foreigners for the highest degrees of national services rendered in the fields of:-
- Art
- Literature
- Science
- Public service of high orders
In the year 2011, the Government of India modified the eligibility criteria for "Bharat Ratna" Award from the earlier criteria- "for the highest degrees of national service" to - " "for performance of highest order in any field of human endeavour"- to enable eminent sports-persons to receive the nation's highest civilian award.
Initially, the” Bharat Ratna” award was conferred on only alive persons and the award was not intended to be given posthumous.
After January 1955 provision was made for issue of posthumous Bharat Ratna award.
From the year 1954 To 2013, “Bharat Ratna” award has been given to 41 Indian Citizens (both Resident and non-resident) and including the following 3 foreigners:-
Mother Theresa belonging to the Republic of Macedonia
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan belonging to Pakistan
Nelson Mandela belonging to South Africa
The following is the list of the “Bharata Ratna”-Award- Recipients from the year 1954 to the year 2013:-
Recipients of 1954 (6):
1. Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975)-
The Second President and the First Vice President of India, A Philosopher belonging to Tamil Nadu whose birthday is commemorated as “Teachers’ Day”.
2. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari /Rajaji(1878–1972)- The last Governor General of British India who was also an Indian Freedom Fighter, belonging to Tamilnadu
