Bharat Ratna To Karpoori Thakur: Here's The Full List Of Posthumous Recipients Of The Award
The Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, has been granted to 49 individuals so far, with 17 posthumously. Instituted in 1954, this award is open to anyone, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender.
Karpoori Thakur, a prominent Gandhian socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, is set to receive the posthumous honor of the 'Bharat Ratna.' The announcement comes in recognition of his significant contributions to public service and leadership.
TV18
Karpoori Thakur
Karpoori Thakur served as the Chief Minister of Bihar in two separate terms, first from December 1970 to June 1971 and later from December 1977 to April 1979. Thakur, known for his dedication to Gandhian principles and socialist ideologies, played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Bihar. His leadership was marked by a commitment to social justice, empowerment of marginalized communities, and the upliftment of the downtrodden.
Karpoori Thakur passed away on February 17, 1988, leaving behind a legacy of principled leadership and a commitment to the welfare of the people. The posthumous award of the Bharat Ratna is a fitting tribute to his enduring contributions to the service of the nation.
The Bharat Ratna
The Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, has been granted to 49 individuals so far, with 17 posthumously. Instituted in 1954, this award is open to anyone, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender.
It is awarded in recognition of outstanding service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. The prime minister makes recommendations directly to the President, and no formal recommendations are required.
The annual awards are limited to a maximum of three per year. Upon receiving the award, the recipient is presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The Bharat Ratna does not come with any monetary grant, according to the ministry of home affairs (MHA).
Posthumous recipients of Bharat Ratna
Here's a list of posthumous recipients of Bharat Ratna till date.
- Lal Bahadur Shastri (posthumously awarded in 1966): Shastri served as the second Prime Minister of India and played a crucial role during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. He passed away in Tashkent in 1966.
- K. Kamaraj (posthumously awarded in 1976): Kumaraswami Kamaraj, a prominent political leader and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was honored for his contributions to Indian politics.
- Vinoba Bhave (posthumously awarded in 1983): Acharya Vinoba Bhave, a key follower of Mahatma Gandhi and a social reformer, was honored for his role in the Bhoodan Movement.
- M. G. Ramachandran (posthumously awarded in 1988): MGR, as he was popularly known, was a legendary actor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for multiple terms.
- Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran
(posthumously awarded in 1988): Actor turned politician.
- B. R. Ambedkar (posthumously awarded in 1990): Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, was recognized for his immense contributions to the nation.
- Rajiv Gandhi (posthumously awarded in 1991): Rajiv Gandhi, the sixth Prime Minister of India, was awarded the Bharat Ratna after his assassination in 1991.
- Morarji Desai (posthumously awarded in 1991): Morarji Desai, the fourth Prime Minister of India, was honored posthumously for his service to the nation.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (posthumously awarded in 1991): Vallabhbhai Patel, a key figure in the Indian independence movement and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, was honored posthumously.
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (posthumously awarded in 1992): A prominent scholar, freedom fighter, and the first Minister of Education in independent India, Azad was recognized for his contributions.
- Aruna Asaf Ali
(posthumously awarded in 1997): Independence activist
- Jayaprakash Narayan (posthumously awarded in 1999): Independence activist, social reformer.
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (posthumously awarded in 1999): Independence activist.
- Madan Mohan Malaviya (posthumously awarded in 2015): Scholar and educational reformer.
- Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously awarded in 2019):
- Pranab Mukherjee (politician and former President of India, posthumously awarded in 2019)
- Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika (posthumously awarded in 2019): Playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet, and film-maker.
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