Why In News
- The government declared on Saturday that Lal Krishna Advani, the Senior BJP Leader and the driving force behind the Ram Janambhoomi agitation, would be awarded a Bharat Ratna.
- He will be the seventh recipient of the highest civilian award under the Modi Government and the 50th since the award’s founding.
Bharat Ratna
- The Bharat Ratna is the nation’s highest civilian award, given for outstanding service or very high-caliber performance in any field of human endeavor. Article 18 does not grant Bharat Ratna any title.
- Article 18’s first clause addresses exclusions such as military or academic titles.
- Citizens may be granted awards such as the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, and others in recognition of outstanding and noteworthy contributions to the arts, sciences, literature, and other sectors.
- According to the court in Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India, AIR 1996, national awards do not qualify as titles under Article 18 clause 1.
- Because these awards are well-respected, the court requested that standards be established before making its decision.
- It is handled differently than the Padma Award.
- The Prime Minister makes the suggestions for this award.
- Minister to the President of India. There can only be three Bharat Ratna Awards given out in a single year.
History : How Did Bharat Ratna Begin?
- A press release from the secretary to the president’s office on January 2, 1954, announced the establishment of two civilian awards: the highest award, the Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India), and the three-tier Padma Vibhushan, which are categorized as “Pehla Warg” (Class I), “Dusra Warg” (Class II), and “Tisra Warg” (Class III), which are ranked lower than the Bharat Ratna.
- The Padma Vibhushan was reorganized on January 15, 1955, into three distinct awards: the Padma Vibhushan, which was the highest honor, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Shri.
- Twice in its existence, the prize saw a brief suspension. The first suspension took place on July 13, 1977, when Morarji Desai, the fourth Prime Minister to take office in 1977, removed all civic honors.
- On January 25, 1980, the suspension was lifted following Indira Gandhi’s ascension to the prime minister ship.
For Further Information read this Article.
FAQ
Q1: What is the highest civilian award in India?
Ans: The Bharat Ratna recognizes exceptional service in various fields.
Q2: When was this prestigious award instituted?
Ans: The award was established on January 2, 1954.
Q3: Who qualifies for this honor?
Ans: Any individual, irrespective of race, occupation, position, or gender, is eligible for the Bharat Ratna.
Q4: In which fields is the Bharat Ratna conferred?
Ans: The award is given for outstanding achievements in the fields of art, literature, science, and public services.
Q5: How many individuals can receive the Bharat Ratna in a year?Ans:The maximum number of Bharat Ratna Awards that can be given in a year is three.
Q6 : Who recommends candidates for the Award?
Ans: Recommendations for the award can be made by the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, or any other person without formal nomination.
Q7 : What does LK Advani contribute?
Ans : In the latter half of the 1980s, Advani emerged as the symbol of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which helped to determine the electoral and political trajectory of the saffron party. He continued to work hand in hand with Vajpayee to construct the BJP, arranging its meteoric ascent during the 1990s.
Q8: Who is the first woman to receive the Bharat Ratna?
Ans: The first woman to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, was Smt. Indira Gandhi. She was honored with the award in 1971 for her exceptional leadership as the Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi served as the Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.
