The 96-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, was conferred with the Bharat Ratna award on Easter Sunday, the day the BJP was formed in 1980. This holds special significance as the Jan Sangh, which merged with the Janata Party in 1976, separated and rechristened itself as the Bharatiya Janata Party on the same day, marking a new chapter in Indian politics. Advani's unique journey, breaking stereotypes and challenging the existing political and intellectual system, is a story that has left a lasting impact on Indian politics.
Bharat Ratna: India's Highest Civilian Honor
The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, conferred upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of art, literature, science, and public service. Instituted in 1954, the award has been given to some of the most illustrious personalities in the nation's history.
Lal Krishna Advani: Latest Recipient
On Easter Sunday, 2015, the 96-year-old Lal Krishna Advani became the latest recipient of the Bharat Ratna. This marked a special occasion, as the conferral coincided with the foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which Advani played a pivotal role in establishing.
Advani's journey in politics has been remarkable. Breaking stereotypes and challenging established norms, he emerged as one of the foremost leaders of the Indian right-wing. His contributions to the BJP's growth and the shaping of India's political landscape have left a lasting legacy.
History and Significance
The Bharat Ratna was first awarded in 1955 to C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C.V. Raman. Since then, it has been bestowed upon eminent individuals from various fields, including scientists, artists, musicians, writers, social workers, and politicians.
The award holds immense prestige and is considered the pinnacle of recognition for Indian citizens. It is given by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: Who is eligible for the Bharat Ratna? A: Any citizen of India who has made exceptional contributions to the nation in the fields of art, literature, science, and public service.
Q2: How is the Bharat Ratna conferred? A: The President of India confers the award on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Q3: What is the value of the Bharat Ratna? A: The Bharat Ratna does not carry any monetary value. It is purely a recognition of an individual's contributions to society.
Q4: Can the Bharat Ratna be revoked? A: Yes, the Bharat Ratna can be revoked in cases of proven misconduct or serious criminal offenses committed by the recipient.
Q5: What is the significance of Lal Krishna Advani receiving the Bharat Ratna? A: Advani's award marks a recognition of his contributions to Indian politics, his role in the establishment of the BJP, and his influence on the nation's right-wing. It also holds special significance as it coincides with the BJP's foundation day.
Royce White, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, is facing backlash after a resurfaced 2022 post on social media in which he referred to the Allied forces as "bad guys" in World War II. He has been criticized for his remarks and is currently trailing behind Democratic incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar in polls. White defended his statement, claiming that he was referring to post-war reconstruction and globalist interests benefiting from the democratic order established after the war.
The highly anticipated assembly elections in Haryana are underway, with voters heading to the polls to determine the fate of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other key candidates including Vinesh Phogat. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Congress is hoping to make a comeback after a decade. The state is also seeing intense competition from other parties such as AAP, INLD, BSP, JJP and Azad Samaj Party. Stay tuned to NDTV for live updates on the election results and follow the latest news from India and across the world.
In a bold move, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and three legislators, belonging to the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, jumped off the third floor of the state secretariat building in Mumbai to oppose the demand for the Dhangar community's inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category. Fortunately, they landed safely on a net installed in the building to prevent suicide attempts. Officials confirmed that none of them sustained any injuries. The incident was a part of a larger protest by tribal MLAs in the Mantralaya complex during a cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis were present.
Amidst ongoing protests against the ST reservation demanded by the Dhangar community, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal reportedly attempted to jump from the third floor of the state secretariat building. The NCP MLA landed safely on a safety net, along with two other tribal legislators who also jumped in protest. The Ajit Pawar faction leader and other tribal MLAs were demanding that Dhangars not be given ST reservation and instead be given services under the PESA Act. The situation remains tense as discussions on the issue continue.
A division bench of the Telangana High Court has formed a committee to review disqualification petitions filed against three Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders who defected to the Congress. The High Court has also declined to stay a single-judge order warning the State assembly speaker of further court proceedings if he does not decide on the petitions. The case raises the question of whether the High Court can order a speaker to decide on disqualification petitions within a fixed time frame.
With the Haryana state legislative assembly elections around the corner, the Chief Electoral Officer urges voters to ensure their names are included in the voter list. While a voter ID card is the most commonly used identity document, the ECI has prescribed 12 alternative options, including Aadhaar card and Indian passport, for those without one. The voter list is available online and through a helpline number, with registration being mandatory in order to cast a vote. The upcoming elections will see a competition between the BJP, who secured 40 seats in the 2019 elections, and Congress, who won 30 seats.
In a significant move towards preserving and promoting Indian languages, the Union Cabinet has approved the classical language status for five more languages - Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision and highlighted the government's efforts to conserve and promote the classical languages. This decision has been welcomed by many, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who expressed gratitude to the Centre for including Assamese in the list. This move is aimed at honoring the historical significance of these languages and nurturing a deeper understanding among the younger generations.
Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, known for his provocative sermons, is scheduled to deliver lectures in Pakistan from October 5 to October 20. His arrival at the invitation of the Pakistani government has sparked concern over the potential consequences of his extremist ideology on a nation already grappling with fundamentalism and religious tensions. Naik's past teachings have been linked to violent extremism, with militants citing his lectures as motivation for carrying out attacks. With the Pakistani government failing to address these issues, Naik's presence is poised to exacerbate societal divisions and pose a serious threat to the country's minorities.
As the nine-day festival of Navratrai began, the Uttar Pradesh government launched the fifth edition of Mission Shakti, an initiative aimed at empowering women regarding their safety and self-reliance. This edition will focus on tackling cyber crimes against women and will involve various government departments to address a wide range of issues. It will also introduce a women's health helpline and promote women entrepreneurs through a dedicated space at the Women Police powerline intersection.
Amit Shah commends Indian government for significant reduction in violence and fatalities in Kashmir, North East, and Naxal regions. He also announces the establishment of a Joint Interrogation Centre to combat terrorism and cybercrime.