In view of lot of public opinion voiced in favour of awarding the Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar, the Govt. has modified the eligibility norms for this highest civilian award of India.
Previously, the award was given only to persons excelling in fields of art, literature, science and public services.
However, as per new rules, notified on 16 Nov 2011, now the Bharat Ratna could be awarded for the performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. Hence, now sportspersons are also eligilble for this award.
The Bharat Ratna (literally meaning Jewel of India or Gem of India) award was established in 1954. Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex is eligible for this award.
The Prime Minister himself makes recommendations to the President for Bharat Ratna. A maximum of three awards can be given in a particular year. The recipient of the award gets a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman and Sarvapali Radhakrishnan were first three indians to receive this prestigious award in 1954.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela are two non-Indian recipient of this award. The award has also been conferred to Mother Teresa, a naturalised Indian citizen.
Smt. Indira Gandhi was the first woman to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was the first person to be given Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Hindustani classical singer Pt. Bhimsen Joshi was the last recipient of the award in 2008.
Out of total 41 people who have been conferred Bharat Ratna, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Amartya Sen, Lata Mangeshkar and Nelson Mandela are only five living recipients of this award .
No comments:
Post a Comment