President Droupadi Murmu bestowed the prestigious Bharat Ratna award on former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur. The ceremony, attended by top dignitaries including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, honored these leaders for their significant contributions to India's economy, rural development, and freedom struggle. This year, the government announced a total of five Bharat Ratna awards, including one for BJP stalwart L K Advani.
Bharat Ratna: Honoring India's Luminaries
The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, is bestowed upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation. This year, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious honor on five distinguished individuals:
Former Prime Ministers
Agricultural Scientist
Former Bihar Chief Minister
BJP Stalwart
Background and History
The Bharat Ratna was instituted in 1954 and has been awarded to a select few individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in the fields of arts, science, literature, public service, and social work. The award is non-transferable and cannot be awarded posthumously except in exceptional circumstances.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is eligible for the Bharat Ratna award? Individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in the fields of arts, science, literature, public service, and social work are eligible for the award.
2. How many Bharat Ratna awards have been bestowed? As of 2022, 49 individuals have received the Bharat Ratna award since its inception in 1954.
3. What are the criteria for being awarded the Bharat Ratna? The criteria include exceptional achievement, national importance, and a distinguished record of service.
4. Why was L. K. Advani awarded the Bharat Ratna? Advani was recognized for his contributions to India's political landscape and his role in shaping the nation's political trajectory.
5. Who was the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna? Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first Vice President and second President of India, was the inaugural recipient of the Bharat Ratna award in 1954.
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.