Bharat Ratna

'Bharat Ratna' is the highest civilian Award that is awarded by the Republic of India . Bharat Ratn is awarded for exceptional service towards the advancement of Arts,Literature and Science.It is also awarded as a recognition of the public service of highest order. Surprisingly there is no mention of sports in this list. As a result of this many a exceptional sportspersons from India like Dhyanchand(Hockey), Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket) and Vishwanathan Anand(Chess) have missed out on a very deserving Bharat Ratna award .There is a growing demand that Sachin Tendulkar be awarded the Bharat Ratna for his achievements in the field of Cricket. Wether this demand is fulfilled we have to wait and watch. Efforts are being made by the goverment of India to modify the rules so that sports persons can also be included for India's highest civilian award. However the government of India has to be careful while selecting the sportsperson.

Any person irrespective of race,sex,occupation,position,age is eligible for Bharat Ratna. Bharat Ratna is usually awarded to Indian citizens but it has been conferred on Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu - a naturalised Indian, Khan Andul Gaffar Khan - the pashtoon Freedom fighter who was part of Indian freedom struggle and Nelson Mandela - President of South Africa.

Provision for Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954 and the order was established on 2'nd January 1954 by the first President of Free India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The first Bharat Ratna was awarded to famous scientist, Chandrashekhar Venkat Raman.At the time of writing this hub ,in all 41 Bharat Ratna Awards have been awarded since its inception.In its original form, Bharat Ratna was not supposed to be awarded posthumously and that is the reason why Mahatma Gandhi was not conferred a Bharat Ratna. A Provision for posthumous Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1955 and since then 12 posthumous Bharat Ratna Awards have been given.

It is not necessary to award Bharat Ratna every year.
The Republic of India can confer a maximum of three Bharat Ratna awards per year.
The Prime Minister makes the recommendations for Bharat Ratna to the President of India.
Bharat Ratna does not carry any monetary grant .
The recepient of Bharat Ratna Award receives a medallion and a certificate signed by the President of India.
The recepient of the award cannot use Bharat Ratna as a prefix or suffix to his/her name.

Following is the list of Prime Ministers of India who have been awarded the BharatRatna

1. Jawahar Lal Nehru.

2. Lal Bahadur Shastri.

3. Indira Gandhi

4 . Rajiv Gandhi.

5. Morarji Desai.

6. Gulzari Lal Nanda.

1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

2. Dr. Zakir Hussain.

3. Shri V.V. Giri.

4. Shri (Dr.) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

In its original form the Bharat Ratna Award was supposed to be a 35 mm diamter circular gold medallion with sun embossed on it and Bharat Ratna inscribed in Devnagari script above the sun while a floral wreath below the sun. The reverse side of this medal or medallion would have state emblem and motto (Satyamev Jayate or Truth Alone Triumphs).The design was altered after one year.In its current form the medallion of the Bharat Ratna Award is designed in the shape of sacred Banyan Tree Leaf with the 'Bharat Ratna' inscribed on it in Devnagri script . The reverse side carries the state emblem and motto like in the original design.As the award is supposed to be worn around the recepients neck there is a 51 mm wide ribbon attached to the award.

Abul Kalam Azad refused the Bharat Ratn Award because he beleived that people who select awardees should not be the recepients of the award.However he was conferred Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1992.

The posthumous Bharat Ratna awarded to Subhash Chandra Bose was withdrawn by the government of India after it could not give conclusive evidence of Bose's death to the Supreme court of India.
Between 13 July 1977 to 26 January 1980 the selection and conferring of Bharat Ratn awards was suspended.