In the tapestry of India’s prestigious honors, the Bharat Ratna shines as a beacon of exceptionalism, recognizing individuals who have etched their names in the annals of history through their extraordinary contributions. Established in 1954, the Bharat Ratna is the pinnacle of civilian awards, honoring those who have displayed exemplary service and unparalleled excellence across various domains of human endeavor, be it literature, science, art, or public service.
The Bharat Ratna award stands as a testament to India’s ethos of honoring greatness irrespective of occupation, gender, or social standing. With a maximum of three individuals bestowed this honor annually, the Bharat Ratna represents the epitome of recognition, presented by none other than the President of India himself.
The Legacy of Bharat Ratna
Since its inception, the Bharat Ratna has adorned the deserving shoulders of luminaries whose contributions have left an indelible mark on society. From activists to scientists, from politicians to artists, each recipient embodies the spirit of excellence and service to humanity.
Bharat Ratna 2024 Award Winners List
In the illustrious history of the Bharat Ratna, the class of 2024 shines bright with luminaries whose legacies continue to inspire generations. Let’s delve into the lives and achievements of these remarkable individuals:
- Karpoori Thakur: A revered socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, his legacy of social justice and empowerment echoes through the ages.
- Lal Krishna Advani: A stalwart in Indian politics, his contributions have been instrumental in shaping the nation’s political landscape.
- PV Narasimha Rao: A visionary statesman and former Prime Minister, his reforms laid the foundation for India’s economic resurgence.
- Chaudhary Charan Singh: A champion of farmers’ rights and a former Prime Minister, his dedication to agrarian welfare remains unparalleled.
- MS Swaminathan: Revered as the Father of the Green Revolution, his scientific innovations transformed India’s agricultural landscape.
| Year | Recipients | About |
| Bharat Ratna 1954 | C. Rajagopalachari | Activist, statesman, and lawyer |
| Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan | India’s first Vice-President and second President | |
| C. V. Raman | Physicists, mathematicians, and scientists | |
| Bharat Ratna 1955 | Bhagwan Das | Activist, philosopher, and educationist |
| M. Visvesvaraya | Civil engineer, statesman, and Diwan of Mysore | |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Activist and author served as the Prime Minister of India | |
| Bharat Ratna 1957 | Govind Ballabh Pant | Activist and first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh |
| Bharat Ratna 1958 | Dhondo Keshav Karve | Social reformer and educator |
| Bharat Ratna 1961 | Bidhan Chandra Roy | Physician, political leader, philanthropist, educationist, and social worker |
| Purushottam Das Tandon | Activist and speaker of the United Provinces Legislative Assembly | |
| Bharat Ratna 1962 | Rajendra Prasad | Activist, lawyer, statesman, and scholar |
| Bharat Ratna 1963 | Zakir Husain | Activist, economist, and education philosopher served as a Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and the Governor of Bihar |
| Pandurang Vaman Kane | Indologist and Sanskrit scholar, known for his five-volume literary work | |
| Bharat Ratna 1966 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | Activist and served as the second Prime Minister of India |
| Bharat Ratna 1971 | Indira Gandhi | First women Prime Minister of India |
| Bharat Ratna 1975 | V. V. Giri | Trade Unionist |
| Bharat Ratna 1976 | K. Kamaraj | Independence activist and statesman, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu |
| Bharat Ratna 1980 | Mother Teresa | Catholic nun and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity. |
| 1983 | Vinoba Bhave | Activist, social reformer, and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi |
| Bharat Ratna 1987 | Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan | First noncitizen, independence activist |
| Bharat Ratna 1988 | M. G. Ramachandran | Actor turned politician, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu |
| Bharat Ratna 1990 | B.R. Ambedkar | Social reformer and leader of the Dalits |
| Nelson Mandela | Leader of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa, President of South Africa | |
| Bharat Ratna 1991 | Rajiv Gandhi | Gandhi was the ninth Prime Minister of India serving from 1984 to 1989. |
| Vallabhbhai Patel | Activist and first Deputy Prime Minister of India | |
| Morarji Desai | Activist, and Prime Minister of India | |
| Bharat Ratna 1992 | Abul Kalam Azad | Activist and first Minister of education |
| J. R. D. Tata | Industrialist, philanthropist, and aviation pioneer | |
| Satyajit Ray | Director, filmmaker, writer, novelist | |
| Bharat Ratna 1997 | Gulzarilal Nanda | Activist, and interim Prime Minister of India. |
| Aruna Asaf Ali | Activist | |
| A.P.J Abdul Kalam | Aerospace and defense scientist | |
| Bharat Ratna 1998 | M. S. Subbulakshmi | Carnatic classical vocalist |
| Chidambaram Subramaniam | Activist and former Minister of Agriculture of India | |
| Bharat Ratna 1999 | Jayaprakash Narayan | Activist, and social reformer |
| Amartya Sen | Economist | |
| Gopinath Bordoloi | Activist | |
| Ravi Shankar | Musician, sitar player | |
| Bharat Ratna 2001 | Lata Mangeshkar | Singer |
| Bismillah Khan | Hindustani classical shehnai player | |
| Bharat Ratna 2009 | Bhimsen Joshi | Hindustani classical vocalist |
| Bharat Ratna 2014 | C. N. R. Rao | Chemist and professor, author |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Cricketer | |
| Bharat Ratna 2015 | Madan Mohan Malaviya | Scholar and educational reformer. |
| Atal Bihari Bajpayee | Elected nine times to the Lok Sabha, twice to the Rajya Sabha, and served as the Prime Minister of India for three terms. | |
| Bharat Ratna 2019 | Pranab Mukherjee | Indian politician, and senior leader in the Indian National Congress. |
| Nanaji Deshmukh | A social activist from India, education, health, and rural self-reliance. | |
| Bhupen Hazarika | Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, singer, poet, and filmmaker from Assam. | |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 (Posthumously) | Karpoori Thakur | A renowned socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | Lal Krishna Advani | A Veteran Bhartiya Janta Party Leader |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | PV Narsimha Rao | Former Prime Minister |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | Chaudhary Charan Singh | A former Prime Minister who supported the agricultural sector and upheld the rights of the farmers. |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | MS Swaminathan | Father of Green Revolution |
Significance of Bharat Ratna Medal
The Bharat Ratna medal, shaped like a peepal leaf, symbolizes growth, vitality, and resilience. Embossed with the national emblem and the motto of the country, it serves as a tangible reminder of the recipient’s monumental achievements.
Notable Recipients Over the Years
The Bharat Ratna fraternity boasts luminaries from diverse fields who have enriched the fabric of Indian society. From C.V. Raman to Sachin Tendulkar, each recipient’s journey is a saga of excellence and dedication.
Youngest and Oldest Recipients
Sachin Tendulkar, at the age of 40, became the youngest recipient of the Bharat Ratna, immortalizing his legacy in the annals of Indian cricket. On the other hand, Dhondo Keshav Karve, awarded at the age of 100, exemplifies the timeless pursuit of excellence.
Bharat Ratna 2024 Award Recipients
The class of 2024 embodies the essence of the Bharat Ratna, with each recipient leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s collective consciousness. Their contributions span politics, social justice, agriculture, and governance, reflecting the diverse tapestry of India’s greatness.
Recognizing Excellence: FAQs
- Who Can Receive Bharat Ratna Awards? Any individual, irrespective of occupation, gender, or position, is eligible for the Bharat Ratna, provided they have rendered exceptional service to society.
- How Many Bharat Ratna Awards Annually? The Bharat Ratna is awarded to a maximum of three individuals annually, honoring their outstanding contributions to various fields.
- Who Was the First Posthumous Awardee? The first posthumous recipient of the Bharat Ratna was former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, recognized for his exemplary service to the nation.
- When Was Bharat Ratna Introduced? The Bharat Ratna was introduced in the year 1954, with the aim of honoring individuals for their exceptional contributions to society.
- Who Received the First Bharat Ratna? The first-ever Bharat Ratna was awarded to C.V. Raman in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the field of science.
Conclusion
The Bharat Ratna Awards 2024 celebrate the spirit of excellence and service that defines the essence of India. As we honor the distinguished recipients, we pay homage to their unwavering commitment to nation-building and societal upliftment, inspiring generations to come.
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