Weekend

This is the 2nd weekend of 2018, but actually this is my first blog this year on the weekend as last weekend I did not write my blog. I have decided that  during this year on the weekend’s blog , I will try to cover some hat ke topic. As you are aware that Republic day is approaching and central Govt will announce Padma Awards ( Padma Shri ,Padma Bhushan,Padma Vibhushan) and may also announce highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna. The eminent people who are in public life always covet for these honours from the govt. The Padma awards have lost some value over the years as every year there are too many recipients of these awards, but Bharat Ratna is still a most cherished and coveted award for the people in Public life. I am going to cover the recipients of this award (BHARAT RATNA) decade wise

Decade of 50s

1. C Rajagopalchari-1954- He was a Social activist , freedom fighter and last Governor General Of India before it became Republic.
2. Dr S Radhakrishnan-1954-He was a Philosopher, Thinker, Educationist and 1st Vice President of our country. He was VP from 1950 to 1962, and afterwards he became 2nd President of the country.
3. Dr CV Raman-1954-World renowned Scientist(Physicist) and Nobel Awardee.
4. Bhagwan Das-1955-Author, member of Hindustani Culture Society, active proponent of opposing rioting as form of protest. He was also a member of Central Legislative Assembly of British India.
5. M. Visvesvariya-1955- World famous Civil Engineer, who does not need any introduction. In Bangalore there is College of Engineering founded by him  and Science and Engineering Museum in his name.
6. Jawaharlal Nehru-1955-Lawyer, Freedom Fighter and 1st Prime Minister of the Country.Lately he has been credited/criticised as the person who is responsible for starting dynasty politics in India.
7. Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant-1957- Freedom Fighter, Social Activist, Home Minister at Centre and Chief Minister of UP.
8. Dr Dhondo Keshav Karve-1955-Popularly known as Maharishi Karve. He was social Reformer and Educationist. He was founder of Women University in Mumbai now known as SNDT Women’s University. In Mumbai there is a prominent road named after him” Maharishi Karve Marg”) earlier known as Queens Road.

From the above list, you will notice that all the people were deserving this coveted Bharat Ratna  award.

Decades of 60s

1. Dr BC Roy-1961-Renowned Physician of that era and Chief Minister of West Bengal for 14 years . Medical Council of India has instituted award in his memory as BC Roy Award and each year eminent persons in medical field are given this award.
2. Purshottam Das Tandon-1962-He was a freedom fighter and Educationist. Popularly he was also known as Rajarshi. He is widely remembered for his efforts in achieving the official language status for Hindi.
3. Dr Rajendra Prasad- 1962- Social activist, Freedom Fighter and 1st President of the country. He was given this honour after he demitted the office of President. It so happened that he received the award from the hands of then President Dr S Radhakrishnan,  as  a President Rajendra Prasad had presented the same award to Radhakrishnan who was then VP
4. Dr Zakir Hussain-1963- Social activist, Scholar and 2nd Vice President. He was the first Muslim to receive this honour.
5. Pandurang Vaman Kane-1963- He was Indologist( is a person who is proficient in the study of history, cultures, languages and literature of India) and Sanskrit Scholar.
6. Lal Bahadur Shastri(Poshtumous)-1966-Social Activist and 2nd Prime Minister. A very simple man, who became PM after Nehru’s death. He was at the helm of affairs during Indo/Pak war of 1965. He died in very mysterious circumstances in Tashkent, Uzbekistan( Then Part of USSR)

Even during this decade also, all the awardee were really deserving.

Decade of 70s

1. Indira Gandhi-1972-Social activist, member of young brigade during freedom movement, 3rd Prime Minister. She was the PM when India fought the war with Pakistan and Bangladesh was created.
2. VV Giri-1974-Trade Unionist and 4th President of the country. His choice was bit controversial as during 1969 Congress break up Indira Gandhi backed VV Giri as Presidential nominee against the official nominee of Congress Party N Sanjiva Reddy. VV Giri won the election and became President. So after he demitted the office Indira Gandhi recommended him for this award.
3. K Kamraj(Poshtumous)-1976-Social activist and CM of Tamil Nadu. Although was once very respected leader of Congress Party but Indira Gandhi did not get along with him and broke the Congress party. When the award was given to him after his death, that time Morarji Desai was PM, who sided with Kamraj during break up.

So during this decade this coveted award started getting political colour.

Decade of 80s

1. Mother Terresa-1980- Catholic Nun, Founder of Missionories of Charities and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
2. Vinobha Bhave(Poshtumous)-1983- Social Activist, reformist and founder of Bhoodan movement.
3. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan-1987- Activist, Reformist, also known as Frontier Gandhi. He was the first non Indian citizen to receive this award.
4. MG Ramachandran( Poshtumous)-1988-Noted South Indian Film Actor and CM of Tamilnadu. This award also had a political colour, just to please Tamilian population after his death Rajiv Gandhi govt announced this award so that to garner some sympathy votes in next Tamilnadu election.

So during this decade also some politics in this coveted award.

The balance decades I will cover in my next weekend blog.

I hope this information about Bharat Ratna Awards will enrich your knowledge.

Waiting for your feed backs.