Bharat Ratnas

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Specialty or greatness is no fruit dropped from a tree; it is inherent in each individual like an innate trait; what is needed is to experience it in the perspective of the prevailing situations. History is witness that anyone, who has identified his inherent talent, specialty or greatness, has assumed an ideal personality whom others can emulate.

Tradition of Honour

Not only society, but also the country keep honoring, rewarding and decorating the great individuals. Each community, each country and each time has seen such personalities bloom; our country India is no exception to this. In the past, several honorific titles were conferred on special personalities, such as Bhupati, Rajah, Maharaja, Samrat, Chakravarti and the like; these special personalities achieved distinctive accomplishments by their wealth, strength, vitality, dexterity and ingenuity. Later, these titles became linked to the post or dynasty, and then such other titles were thought of, such as Vikramaditya. Some rulers and other distinguished personalities honoured talented people belonging to diverse domains of national and vial life; they themselves too assumed some specific titles. This tradition was in vogue right from the Gupta period to the Mughal period. Emperor Chandragupta propounded the Vikram Samvat, a calendar system and assumed the title of Vikramaditya. Emperor Ashoka undertook several campaigns for expansion of his territory; however, when he relinquished violence to assume piety, he came to be called the Great.

In the field of religion, culture and philosophy, Shankaracharya overcame the Buddhists by his learning and logic and founded the four Mathas (or monasteries) in four corners of the country with a view to achieve cultural harmony. As a consequence, his name and post became a subject of honour in the field of religion, culture and philosophy. The British period continued to identify distinguished people in order to confer on them titles like Sir and Rai Bahadur.

Bharat Ratna Having achieved independence from the British rule, the Government of India laid down the Padma Awards in 1954 with a view to honour the great talents; the Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award among these awards. This is awarded to those social workers, educationists, politicians, scientists and others who have rendered exceptional service of the highest order to the nation in glorious terms in their respective fields, and also in recognition of public service of the highest order. In fact, the Bharat Ratna is special identity of those exceptional personalities, who possess extraordinary leadership qualities, who set a goal for their life and who never waver from their goal. They lead from the front, confront the challenges with fortitude, never allow themselves to be cowed down by their circumstances; rather, they mould the circumstances according to them in order to earn name and fame for themselves. They are honoured by very people whom they lead.

Decoration of Bharat Ratan

The Bharat Ratna is no title or shiled, it is a decoration embossed with a replica of the sun; it is in the form of a peepal leaf. The original 1954 specifications of the award was a circle made of gold 1 s inches (35 mm) in diameter with a centred sun burst design on the obverse side. The text 'Bharat Ratna', in Devanagari Script, is inscribed on the upper edge in silver gilt with a wreath set along on the lower edge. A platinum Emblem of India was placed in the centre of the reverse side with the national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) in Devanagari Script, inscribed in silver-gilt on the lower edge.

A year later, the design was modified. The current medal is in the shape of a peepal leaf, approximately 2 156 inches (59 mm) long, 1 inches (48 mm) wide and 8 inch (3.2 mm) thick and rimmed in platinum. The embossed sun burst design, made of platinum, on the obverse side of the medal has a diameter of 8 5 inch (16 mm) with rays spreading out from 6 inch (21 mm) to 12. inch (13 mm) from the center of the Sun. The words 'Bharat Ratna' on the obverse side remained the same as the 1954 design as did the emblem of India and 'Satyameva Jayate' on the reverse side. A 2-inch-wide (51 mm) white ribbon is attached to the medal so it can be worn around the neck. In 1957, the silver-gilt decoration was changed to burnished bronze. The 'Bharat Ratna' medals are produced at Alipore Mint, Kolkata along with the other civilian and military awards like Padma Vibushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Param Veer Chakra.

This decoration is worn round the neck with a white ribbon.