PM lauds their contributions to nation
- President Ramnath Kovind conferred the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour, on former President Pranab Mukherjee, along with social activist Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumous), and Assamese musician Bhupen Hazarika (posthumous).
Bharat Ratna
- Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour of Republic of India, given for exceptional service towards advancement of Art, Literature and Science, and in recognition of Public Service of the highest order.
- It is also not mandatory that Bharat Ratna be awarded every year.
- The original specifications for the award called for a circular gold medal, 35 mm in diameter, with the sun and the Hindi legend "Bharat Ratna" above and a floral wreath below.
- The reverse was to carry the state emblem and motto.
- It was to be worn around the neck from a white ribbon.
- The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954.
- The first ever Indian to receive this award was the famous scientist, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
- Since then, many dignitaries, each a whiz in varied aspects of their career has received this coveted award.
- Bharat Ratna is India’s most prestigious, highest pedestal-holding civilian award ranked seventh in the order of precedence.
- Being a merit-based award, it is presented to the holders without any distinction/ discrimination on the basis of race, position, sex, occupation etc.
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