Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bharat Ratna
Mains level: Key achievements of the Dignitaries
![Bharat Ratna](https://d18x2uyjeekruj.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bharat-ratna.jpg)
Introduction
- The Bharat Ratna will be conferred on former Prime Ministers P. V. Narasimha Rao and Choudhary Charan Singh, as well as Green Revolution pioneer S. Swaminathan.
- This will add to the two awardees already announced earlier this year — socialist leader Karpoori Thakur and former Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani.
About the Bharat Ratna Laureates
[1] Dr. M.S. Swaminathan
Aspect |
Details |
Early Life |
- Born on August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Madras Presidency.
- Pursued higher education in zoology and agricultural science.
- Passed away on 23rd September, 2023 at the age of 98.
|
Career Highlights |
- Conducted research on combating potato crop parasites during a UNESCO fellowship (1949-1954).
- Earned a PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1954.
- Served as Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (1979-1982).
- Appointed as Director General of the International Rice Research Institute in 1982.
|
Green Revolution Contributions |
- Pioneered high-yielding variety seeds and improved irrigation methods.
- Collaborated with Dr. Norman Borlaug to develop high-yielding wheat varieties (1965-1970).
|
Challenges and Advocacy |
Advocated for fair Minimum Support Prices for farmers and highlighted ecological concerns. |
Legacy and Recognition |
- Received numerous international accolades and civilian awards from India and other nations.
- Honored with Padma Shri (1967), Padma Bhushan (1972), and Padma Vibhushan (1989) awards in India.
- Awarded over 80 honorary doctorates from universities worldwide.
|
[2] PV Narasimha Rao
|
Details |
Early Life |
- Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar district, Hyderabad State (now Telangana, India).
- Passed away on December 23, 2004, in New Delhi.
|
Education |
- Bachelor of Arts degree from Osmania University.
- Higher studies at the University of Bombay and Nagpur University.
|
Political Career |
- Started in the Indian National Congress.
- Served as MLA in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
- Held ministerial positions, including Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Defence.
|
Economic Reforms (1991) |
- Initiated significant economic reforms in response to the 1991 crisis.
- Reforms included dismantling the License Raj, opening up the economy, and initiating privatization.
|
Foreign Policy |
- Strengthened ties with the United States and other major powers.
- Initiated the “Look East Policy” to enhance engagement with Southeast and East Asia.
|
South Asian Diplomacy |
- Handled the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and initiated dialogue with Pakistan.
- Deployed peacekeeping forces to Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF).
|
Political Legacy |
- Credited with laying the foundation for India’s economic liberalization and globalization.
- Recognized for pragmatic leadership during a critical period in India’s history.
- Remembered as a statesman who shaped India’s economic and foreign policies.
|
[3] Choudhary Charan Singh
Aspect |
Details |
Early Life |
- Born on December 23, 1903, in Noorpur village near Hapur, India.
- Entered politics during the national movement and was elected to the United Provinces Assembly from Chhaprauli in 1937.
|
Political Career |
- Advocated for village economy issues and fought against the exploitation of peasants by big landlords.
- Served as Revenue Minister in UP’s first Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant’s cabinet, instrumental in implementing zamindari abolition and land ceiling laws.
- Emerged as a popular leader among North Indian farmer communities and Muslims.
- Became UP’s first non-Congress Chief Minister in 1967, forming a coalition government.
- Won the 1977 Lok Sabha elections on the Janata Party ticket, became Deputy PM under Morarji Desai’s government.
- Formed the Janata Party (Secular) in 1979, briefly served as PM with support from Indira Gandhi.
|
Legacy |
- Championed the cause of peasants and created a new political class representing farming communities in North India.
- Influenced the shift of farmer communities from Congress and Jan Sangh to parties specifically representing them.
- His son, Ajit Singh, formed the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), continuing the family’s political legacy.
- Charan Singh remains hailed as one of India’s tallest Jat leaders.
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Back2Basics: Bharat Ratna
|
Details |
Nature |
- Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
|
History and Evolution |
- Instituted in 1954.
- Originally limited to achievements in arts, literature, science, and public services.
- Criteria expanded in December 2011.
|
First Recipients |
C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C. V. Raman were the first recipients in 1954. |
Key Aspects |
- Not mandatory to be awarded every year.
- Can be awarded to non-Indian citizens.
- Recommendations made by the Prime Minister to the President.
- Restricted to a maximum of three awards per year.
- Recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) and a medallion.
- No monetary grant accompanies the award.
|
Article Reference |
- Cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name, but can be indicated in biodata/letterhead/visiting card as “Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President” or “Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award”.
- Article 18(1) of the Constitution states that the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name.
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