The Civil Honors Of India✨

The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane.

Every year, many people across the country do some exceptional and recommendable work. Some we are familiar with in our life and some are hidden super heroes. Award is recognition of excellence achieved by an individual or a group of people for their marvelous job in a particular field.Award is given in the form of a title, certificate, trophy, etc by an organization or a government body. Highest civilian award in India is Bharat Ratna which is followed by Padma Vibhushan, Padma bhushan and Padma Shri in the last.

BHARAT RATNA -

This is the highest Civilian Award in India which can be conferred to any person without the distinction of Race, Religion, Occupation or Sex. Recipients receive aSanad(certificate) signed by the President and a peepal-leaf–shaped medallion. It was first instituted in 1954. There is no monetary grant (money) associated with the award.

Facts -

• This award was originally limited to achievements in the arts, literature, science, and public services, but the government expanded the criteria to include "any field of human Endeavour" in 2011.

• The first recipients of the Bharat Ratna were politicianC. Rajagopalachari, philosopherSarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and scientistC. V. Raman.

• The Bharat Ratna has been awarded to one naturalised citizen,Mother Teresa, and to two non-Indians, Pakistan nationalKhan Abdul Ghaffar Khanand formerSouth African PresidentNelson Mandela.

• In 2019, Bharat Ratna was awarded to social activistNanaji Deshmukh(posthumously), singer-music directorBhupen Hazarika(posthumously) and to former President of IndiaPranab Mukherjee.

PADMA AWARDS -

'Padma' stands for lotus in sanskrit and these awards simply means blossoming in nature. Padma Awardsare given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines, such as Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc. Normally, Padma Awards are not conferred posthumously. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

PADMA VIBHUSUAN -
It is the 2nd highest civilian award & is conferred for exceptional and distinguished service in any field including government service. The first recipients of the award wereSatyendra Nath Bose,Nand Lal Bose,Zakir Hussain,Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher,Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, andV. K. Krishna Menon, who were honoured in 1954.

PADMA BHUSHAN -

It is the 3rd highest Civilian Honour in India & is awarded “for distinguished service of a high order” in any field. So far 1229 people have received this prestigious award. When instituted in 1954, twenty-three recipients were honoured with the Padma Bhushan.

PADMA SHRI -
It is the 4th highest Civilian Award in India & is awarded “for distinguished service” in any field. So far 2679 people have received the award.