India has always held excellence in various fields close to its heart. Among the many ways the country honours its citizens for exceptional contributions, the Bharat Ratna Award stands out as the highest and most prestigious recognition one can receive. This coveted honour is a symbol of extraordinary service to the nation, regardless of a person’s background, position, or field of work. In this article, we will look at the Bharat Ratna Award—India’s highest civilian award—in detail.
What is the Bharat Ratna Award?
The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award. It is conferred on individuals who have rendered exceptional service in any field of human endeavour, whether in arts, science, politics, social work, sports, or any other sphere. What sets Bharat Ratna apart is that it transcends distinctions such as race, occupation, or gender.
History of Bharat Ratna Award
The government established the Bharat Ratna Award on January 2, 1954, to honour an individual’s exceptional service or performance of the highest order or celebrate those who have significantly impacted the nation.
Interestingly, on January 2, 1954, India introduced Padma Vibhushan to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individuals from all walks of life.
The first-ever Bharat Ratna recipients were C. Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India; Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who later became the President of India; and renowned physicist C.V. Raman. Their contributions to politics, education, and science set a high standard for this prestigious recognition.
The Bharat Ratna Award Winner List
Here’s the list of Bharat Ratna Award winners since its inception in 1954.
Awardee | Year | Contribution |
C. Rajagopalachari | 1954 | He was a freedom fighter, politician, writer, and the last Governor-General of India. |
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | 1954 | He was a philosopher and served as the first Vice President and the second President of India. |
C. V. Raman | 1954 | He was a renowned physicist known for discovering the Raman Effect and was a Nobel Laureate in Physics. |
Bhagwan Das | 1955 | He was a philosopher, Theosophist, and a member of British India’s Central Legislative Assembly. |
M. Visvesvaraya | 1955 | He was a civil engineer and administrator known for his contributions to infrastructure development and water management. |
Jawaharlal Nehru | 1955 | He was a freedom fighter and served as India’s first Prime Minister, shaping the nation’s policies. |
Govind Ballabh Pant | 1957 | He was a key figure in post-independence reforms and played a major role in India’s legal framework. |
Dhondo Keshav Karve | 1958 | He was a social reformer who worked towards women’s rights and education in India. |
Bidhan Chandra Roy | 1961 | He was an eminent physician, educationist, and served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal. |
Purushottam Das Tandon | 1961 | He was a freedom fighter who contributed significantly to the recognition of Hindi as the official language of India. |
Rajendra Prasad | 1962 | He was India’s first President and a prominent leader in India’s independence. |
Zakir Husain | 1963 | He was an educationist and served as the third President of India. |
Pandurang Vaman Kane | 1963 | He was an Indologist and Sanskrit scholar who contributed extensively to the study of ancient Indian texts. |
Lal Bahadur Shastri | 1966 | He served as India’s second Prime Minister and was known for his leadership during the 1965 war with Pakistan. |
Indira Gandhi | 1971 | She was India’s first and only female Prime Minister and played a crucial role in shaping India’s political landscape. |
V. V. Giri | 1975 | He was a trade union leader and served as the fourth President of India. |
K. Kamaraj | 1976 | He was a political leader who played a significant role in improving India’s education system. |
Mother Teresa | 1980 | She was a Catholic nun and humanitarian known for her extensive charity work in India. |
Vinoba Bhave | 1983 | He was a social reformer and advocate of nonviolence and human rights. |
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan | 1987 | He was a Pashtun leader and independence activist who promoted nonviolent resistance against British rule. |
M. G. Ramachandran | 1988 | He was a popular actor-turned-politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. |
B. R. Ambedkar | 1990 | He was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a social reformer who championed Dalit rights. |
Nelson Mandela | 1990 | He was an anti-apartheid revolutionary who served as the President of South Africa. |
Rajiv Gandhi | 1991 | He was India’s sixth Prime Minister and played a key role in modernising the economy and technology sector. |
Vallabhbhai Patel | 1991 | He was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and played a crucial role in unifying the country. |
Morarji Desai | 1991 | He was a freedom fighter and served as the fourth Prime Minister of India. |
Abul Kalam Azad | 1992 | He was a prominent independence activist and served as India’s first Minister of Education. |
J. R. D. Tata | 1992 | He was an industrialist and the former chairman of Tata Group, contributing to India’s economic growth. |
Satyajit Ray | 1992 | He was an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, screenwriter, and composer. |
Aruna Asaf Ali | 1997 | She was a freedom fighter and became the first Mayor of Delhi. |
Gulzarilal Nanda | 1997 | He was an economist and politician known for his contributions to labor welfare reforms. |
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam | 1997 | He was an aerospace scientist and former President of India, widely known as the ‘Missile Man of India.’ |
M. S. Subbulakshmi | 1998 | She was a renowned Carnatic vocalist and musician. |
Chidambaram Subramaniam | 1998 | He was a freedom fighter and politician known for his role in India’s Green Revolution. |
Jayaprakash Narayan | 1999 | He was a socialist leader and a key figure in the Indian independence movement. |
Amartya Sen | 1999 | He is an economist and a Nobel Laureate recognised for his work on welfare economics. |
Gopinath Bordoloi | 1999 | He was the first Chief Minister of Assam and played a vital role in India’s independence movement. |
Ravi Shankar | 1999 | He was a legendary sitar virtuoso and composer. |
Lata Mangeshkar | 2001 | She was a legendary playback singer and music director with a career spanning decades. |
Bismillah Khan | 2001 | He was a renowned Shehnai maestro and Hindustani classical musician. |
Bhimsen Joshi | 2009 | He was a Hindustani classical vocalist from Karnataka. |
C. N. R. Rao | 2014 | He is an eminent scientist and served as the Head of the Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Council. |
Sachin Tendulkar | 2014 | He is a former Indian cricketer and one of the greatest batsmen in the sport’s history. |
Madan Mohan Malaviya | 2015 | He was an educationist and the founder of Banaras Hindu University. |
Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 2015 | He was a former Prime Minister of India and a poet known for his leadership and oratory skills. |
Pranab Mukherjee | 2019 | He was a former President of India and a seasoned politician with decades of experience. |
Nanaji Deshmukh | 2019 | He was a social activist and a key leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). |
Bhupen Hazarika | 2019 | He was a legendary singer, composer, and filmmaker from Assam. |
Karpoori Thakur | 2024 | He was a politician and former Chief Minister of Bihar known for his social justice initiatives. |
Lal Krishna Advani | 2024 | He is a veteran politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of India. |
P. V. Narasimha Rao | 2024 | He was a former Prime Minister of India credited with introducing economic reforms. |
Chaudhary Charan Singh | 2024 | He was a former Prime Minister of India and an advocate for farmers’ rights. |
M. S. Swaminathan | 2024 | He was an agricultural scientist and a key architect of India’s Green Revolution. |
Why Should Children Know About Bharat Ratna?
As children grow up, it is vital for them to be inspired by stories of success and service. The Bharat Ratna Award is not just about an individual’s achievements but about setting a standard for excellence. It acts as a beacon, showing young minds the heights they can reach if they dedicate themselves to their passions and serve their communities. For instance, MS Swaminathan’s role in making India self-sufficient in food production through agricultural innovations highlights the importance of science and technology in solving real-world problems. Similarly, Pandit Ravi Shankar’s ability to blend Indian classical music with global genres teaches the importance of embracing diverse cultures and fostering creativity.
Pro tip: Parents can encourage their children to look up to these figures not only for their achievements but also for their vision and the profound impact they had on the world.
Summing Up
In conclusion, the Bharat Ratna Award symbolises more than just a medal or certificate. It is a testament to the dedication, excellence, and service that individuals have contributed to shaping India’s progress. For parents, the Bharat Ratna is an excellent way to instill values of service, excellence, and perseverance in children. By sharing the history of Bharat Ratna and the stories of the Bharat Ratna recipients, parents can inspire their children to follow in their footsteps, helping to build a better future for the country and the world. You can visit our blog, Heroes In History Inspiring Stories For Young Minds, for more stories on historical figures.
You can check out the EuroKids Blog for more informative insights on your little one’s development, nutrition, and health. Visit EuroKids Preschools to give your little one the start they deserve.
