First Bharat Ratna Award

In this article, I am going to tell you about the First Bharat Ratna Award

The Bharat Ratna was India's maximum civilian award, therefore mounted on January 2, 1954. It was instituted by the Government of India to recognize exceptional service in various fields. The award was originally limited to the arts, literature, science, and public services, above all the criteria were later expanded to include contributions in other fields.

Bharat  Ratna Award

The first three recipients of the Bharat Ratna were honored on January 26, 1954, which coincides with India's Republic Day. The recipients of the first Bharat Ratna awards were:

C. Rajagopalachari (C.R.):

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, also known as Rajaji, was an Indian politician, independence activist, and statesman.

C. Rajagopalachari, also known as Rajaji, was the last Governor-General of India and the first Indian to hold the position. He performed a giant function in the Indian independence motion and turned into a near accomplice of Mahatma Gandhi. Rajagopalachari actively participated in various civil disobedience movements, including the Salt Satyagraha. He was known for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his advocacy for social reform and economic development in India. As a leader, statesman, and thinker, Rajagopalachari left a lasting impact on the Indian political landscape.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher, statesman, and educator who made significant contributions to Indian thought and politics. He served as the first Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 and later as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. Radhakrishnan was renowned for his profound understanding of Indian philosophy, particularly Vedanta, and his ability to articulate complex philosophical ideas in a clear and accessible manner. He played a key role in shaping modern Indian education as an academic, serving as the Vice Chancellor of Andhra University and later as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission. Radhakrishnan's contributions to Indian society and culture earned him widespread respect and admiration both nationally and internationally.

A famous philosopher, he performed a big function in selling Indian philosophy globally.

C.V. Raman:

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman turned into a physicist acknowledged for his groundbreaking paintings in mild scattering, which brought about the Raman effect's discovery.

Bhagwan Das

Bhagwan Das was a prominent Indian independence activist, scholar, and philosopher who played a significant role in the country's freedom struggle. He was also a distinguished writer, educationist, and social reformer. Das was one of the early recipients of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, bestowed upon him for his exceptional contributions to society and the nation. Throughout his life, Bhagwan Das advocated for social justice, equality, and the upliftment of marginalized communities. He was deeply committed to the principles of nonviolence and Gandhian philosophy, actively participating in various movements aimed at achieving India's independence from British colonial rule. Bhagwan Das's legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians to work towards building a more inclusive and just society.

  • Birth: Bhagwan Das was born on January 12, 1869, in Varanasi, British India.
  • Educator and Theosophist:
    • Bhagwan Das was a renowned educator and a prominent figure in the Theosophical Society
    • He was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Theosophical Society, which sought to explore and promote the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science.
  • Philosopher and Writer: Bhagwan Das was a philosopher and a prolific writer who made significant contributions to the understanding of Indian philosophy. Through his extensive writings, he delved into spiritual and philosophical subjects, enriching the discourse on these topics
  • Social Reformer:
    • Bhagwan Das played an active role in social and educational reform movements, dedicating himself to initiatives aimed at promoting education and social welfare
  • Political Involvement:
    • Bhagwan Das participated in the Indian independence movement and was associated with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.
    • His involvement in public provider and advocacy for social reasons persevered even after independence.
  • Bharat Ratna:
    • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955 for his significant contributions to education, philosophy, and social reform.
  • Later Years:
    • Bhagwan Das continued to be engaged in philosophical and educational pursuits in his later years.

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1955):

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, often referred to as Sir MV, was an eminent Indian engineer, statesman, and scholar. However, he passed away on April 14, 1962, not in 1955 as you mentioned. Born on September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli, Karnataka, India, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was a visionary engineer and statesman who played a pivotal role in the development of modern India

He turned into the leader engineer chargeable for the construction. The Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya, Karnataka, was a pioneering project in the field of irrigation and water resources. Visvesvaraya additionally served as the Diwan of Mysore (now Karnataka) from 1912 to 1918.

In 1955, Visvesvaraya became venerated with the Bharat Ratna. India's highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to engineering, governance, and nation-building. Despite his passing in 1962, his legacy continues to be celebrated, and Engineers' Day is observed in India on his birthday, September 15, as a tribute to his contributions to the field of engineering.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1955)

Govind Ballabh Pant (1957)

Dhondo Keshav Karve (1958)

Dr. B. C. Roy (1961)

Purushottam Das Tandon (1961)

Rajendra Prasad (1962)

Zakir Husain (1963)

Pandurang Vaman Kane (1963)

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1966)

Indira Gandhi (1971)

V.V. Giri (1975)

K. Kamaraj (1976)

Mother Teresa (1980)

Acharya Vinoba Bhave (1983)

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987)

M.G. Ramachandran (1988)

B.R. Ambedkar (1990)

Rajiv Gandhi (1991)

Vallabhbhai Patel (1991)

Morarji Desai (1991)

Abdul Sattar Edhi (1991)

J.R.D. Tata (1992)

Satyajit Ray (1992)

Aruna Asaf Ali (1997)

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2015)

Madan Mohan Malaviya (2015)

Nanaji Deshmukh (2019)

Bhupen Hazarika (2019)

Pranab Mukherjee (2019)

K. Parasaran (2019)

N. R. Narayana Murthy (2019)

This is a particular list, and lots of different brilliant personalities from diverse fields have acquired the Bharat Ratna.

Frequently Ask Questions

  1. What is Bharat Ratna?

    • Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India, conferred to individuals for exceptional service of the highest order in various fields.
  2. When was the Bharat Ratna instituted?

    • Bharat Ratna was instituted on January 2, 1954.
  3. Who is eligible to receive Bharat Ratna?

    • Any Indian citizen, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or gender, is eligible for the Bharat Ratna.
  4. Who selects the recipients of Bharat Ratna?

    • The recipients of Bharat Ratna are selected by the Prime Minister of India and approved by the President of India.
  5. Can Bharat Ratna be awarded posthumously?

    • Yes, Bharat Ratna can be awarded posthumously, i.e., after the recipient's death.

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