Bharat Ratna For PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Dr MS Swaminathan
In a historic move, the Centre has announced five Bharat Ratna awards in a single year for the first time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that two former Prime Ministers – Chaudhary Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao – and father of India’s ‘Green Revolution’ – Dr MS Swaminathan – will be awarded Bharat Ratna.
This year”s recipients of LK Advani and the posthumous recognition of Karpoori Thakur further enriches the list of honorees, bringing the total number of Bharat Ratna recipients to 53. Records from the Ministry of Home Affairs indicate that 2024 has witnessed the highest number of Bharat Ratna awards bestowed in a single year since its inception in 1954, surpassing the previous record set in 1999 when four distinguished individuals were honored.
Those who were awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999, included Jayaprakash Narayan (Posthumous), Professor Amartya Sen, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (Posthumous) and Pandit Ravi Shankar.
“The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year. On conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The Award does not carry any monetary grant,” according to the Ministry of Home Affairs website.
The most recent recipients of the Bharat Ratna were Pranab Mukherjee in 2019, and posthumously awarded Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh. No awards were conferred between 2020 and 2023.
Established on January 2, 1954, the Bharat Ratna remains India”s highest civilian honor, recognizing individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields, irrespective of background or gender. Initially focused on achievements in arts, literature, science, and public service, the eligibility criteria were expanded in December 2011 to include excellence in any field of human endeavor.
Recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President, without the need for formal endorsements. Throughout its history, the Bharat Ratna has been conferred upon numerous distinguished figures, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Sachin Tendulkar, and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, among others.
