What is the Bharat Ratna award?
The Bharat Ratna award is India's top civilian honour. It was created in 1954 and can be given to anyone who has done something remarkable in any field, regardless of their race, job, status, or gender.
The Prime Minister suggests names for the Bharat Ratna to the President. Recipients receive a certificate and a medal from the President but no money. Recently, five people were awarded the Bharat Ratna, setting a new record.
What record was created?
This year's winners are former prime ministers (PM) PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani, and former Bihar chief minister (CM) Karpoori Thakur.
Usually, three Bharat Ratna awards are given each year, but this time, the government announced five winners. This is more than the four awarded in 1999, making it the highest number of Bharat Ratna awards given in a year.
Can you tell me something more about the five winners?
- Karpoori Thakur: He was given the award posthumously. He was the former CM of Bihar and a well-known leader.
- Lal Krishna Advani: A well-known BJP veteran. He held important government positions under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government from 1999 to 2004.
- Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao: He was given the award posthumously. He was a respected Telugu leader who served as India’s PM from 1991 to 1996.
- Chaudhary Charan Singh: Given the award posthumously. He was a former Indian PM and a well-known leader from Uttar Pradesh. He was once UP's CM.
- Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan: Given the award posthumously. A famous agricultural scientist known for his contributions to agriculture and farmer welfare.
These are some facts about this year’s winners.
