Bharat Ratna, which is the highest civilian award of India is conferred in recognition of"exceptional service/performance of the highest order" in ''any field of human endeavour'' by the Centre government. The civilian award which literally translates to ''jewel of India'' was instituted on January 2, 1954, and has been awarded to 49 individuals to date.
On Tuesday, the Centre announced to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously to former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. The socialist stalwart was popularly known as Jan Nayak for his dedication to work for the upliftment of marginalised communities of society. Karpoori Thakur is the third leader from Bihar whose political contribution was recognised by conferring Bharat Ratna, the other two being Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr Rajendra Prasad.
Which State Has Most Bharat Ratna Recipients
Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, has also produced the most recipients of the Bharat Ratna. Out of the 49 awards given so far, 10 have gone to people from the northern state. However, this number includes the three former prime ministers from the Nehru-Gandhi family, who were not born in Uttar Pradesh but contested elections from there.
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu rank second on the list with eight Bharat Ratna recipients from their states, followed by West Bengal which produced seven individuals who performed service of highest order in their respective fields.
State-Wise Split Of Bharat Ratna Recipients
Uttar Pradesh 10
Maharashtra 8
Tamil Nadu 8
West Bengal 7
Bihar 3
Karnataka 3
Gujarat 2
Assam 2
Uttarakhand 1
Andhra Pradesh 1
Odisha 1
Punjab 1
Foreigners 2
Foreign Nationals Conferred With Bharat Ratna
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Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Pakistan) - 1987
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a freedom fighter and founder of Khudai Khidmatgar resistance movement against British colonial rule in India. He practised nonviolence and pacifism throughout his life and was a supporter of harmony between Hindus and Muslims in the subcontinent. Because of his resemblance to Mahatma Gandhi in his beliefs and friendship, Khan was called Sarhadi Gandhi, ‘the Frontier Gandhi’.
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Nelson Mandela (South Africa) - 1990
Nelson Mandela was awarded the Bharat Ratna for his role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, liberating the Blacks. The first Black President of South Africa served 27 years in prison for his principles of equality, freedom, justice and liberty. Mandela was also inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent resistance movement.
Politicians Outperformed Recipients From Other Fields
Politicians 23
Artists 7
Activists 5
Scientists 4
Educationalists 5
Social Workers 3
Sportsperson 1
Businessman 1
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Only Four Women Awarded With Bharat Ratna
There is a low representation of women among the awardees, with only four female recipients which include former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, singers MS Subbalakshmi and Lata Mangeshkar and freedom fighter Aruna Asaf Ali.
