Myth or Fact: Jawaharlal Nehru and the Bharat Ratna Award

For decades, there have been myths and misconceptions floating around about Jawaharlal Nehru and his involvement in the Bharat Ratna award. It is often stated that Nehru awarded the Bharat Ratna to himself in 1955, or that he was the one to declare it for himself. However, these claims are far from the truth. This article aims to clarify these misconceptions and provide accurate information about the Bharat Ratna award and its history.

Understanding the Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award. Instituted in 1954, it is the most significant honor that recognizes extraordinary contributions made by individuals for the nation. Unlike many other awards, the Bharat Ratna is not self-awarded; it is conferred by the President of India, based on recommendations made by the Prime Minister and a committee.

Nehru and the Bharat Ratna

Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, served in office from 1947 until his death in 1964. Despite his significant impact on the nation, he was not personally responsible for awarding the Bharat Ratna. In fact, Nehru was not involved in or associated with the awarding of this honor to himself or any other individual. The first recipient of the Bharat Ratna was Sachin Sinha, awarded posthumously in 1950, and subsequent awards were made to other distinguished personalities.

In 1955, Jawaharlal Nehru was himself awarded the Bharat Ratna, but it was not awarded to him retroactively or self-awarded. He was honored posthumously in 1964 shortly after his death for his significant contributions to the nation, making him one of the three recipients of the Bharat Ratna during his lifetime. It is important to note that the Bharat Ratna was conferred to him in 1964 by the President of India based on the recommendations of the Prime Minister and the committee.

Other Notable Award Recipients

While discussing Jawaharlal Nehru's relationship with the Bharat Ratna, it is also important to highlight other notable personalities who have received this prestigious award. For example, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, was honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1990. Another recipient was Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-Indian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954. More recently, Mother Teresa, for her humanitarian work, and APJ Abdul Kalam, for his contributions to science and society, were also conferred this honor.

Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve and the Bharat Ratna

Beyond the political realm, individuals like Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve have also been honored with the Bharat Ratna for their remarkable contributions. Karve is celebrated as a social worker who dedicated his life to women's education. His efforts led to the establishment of the concept of a Women's University, which was eventually realized in India. The Government of India bestowed the Bharat Ratna upon him in 1958 for his life's work and the immense impact he had on society.

Karve also received the Dadasaheb Phaldesaward, one of the highest state-level awards in the state of Maharashtra, which recognizes distinguished contributions to society. Despite his many achievements and the numerous accolades he received, he did not award the Bharat Ratna to himself. Instead, it was an honor bestowed upon him by the government based on his outstanding contributions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that the Bharat Ratna award is a distinguished honor conferred by the President of India, and it does not involve self-awarding. Jawaharlal Nehru was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1964, and while he was the first Prime Minister to receive this award, it was not awarded to him during his lifetime or retroactively. Understanding the process and proper attribution of such prestigious awards is crucial for accurate historical and cultural understanding.