Bharat Ratna Awards started in?
VerifiedAnswer: 1954
Explanation:
The Bharat Ratna was instituted on January 2, 1954, making it India's highest civilian honor. This prestigious award was established by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, to recognize exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor.
The award was created during the early years of independent India when the nation wanted to honor its most distinguished citizens who had made outstanding contributions to the progress and development of the country. The Bharat Ratna literally means "Jewel of India" in Sanskrit, reflecting the immense respect and honor associated with this recognition.
Initially, the award was limited to achievements in arts, literature, science, and public services. However, in December 2011, the government expanded the criteria to include "any field of human endeavor," making it more inclusive and comprehensive. This change allowed the government to recognize excellence in sports, medicine, social work, and other areas of human achievement.
The first recipients of the Bharat Ratna in 1954 were Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (philosopher and second President of India), Sir C.V. Raman (physicist and Nobel Prize winner), and Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (freedom fighter and the last Governor-General of India). These three distinguished personalities set a high standard for future recipients of this coveted honor.
The award comes with a medal in the shape of a peepal leaf, which holds special significance in Indian culture and philosophy. The medal is made of bronze and bears the national emblem on one side and the words "Bharat Ratna" inscribed in Devanagari script on the other. Recipients also receive a certificate signed by the President of India, but notably, there is no monetary reward associated with this honor.
Since its inception in 1954, the Bharat Ratna has been awarded to numerous luminaries including political leaders, scientists, artists, social reformers, and sports personalities. Some notable recipients include Mahatma Gandhi (posthumously in 1997), Mother Teresa, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar, among many others who have brought glory to the nation through their exceptional contributions.
