Who do you feel was a truly significant hero of the Twentieth Century and why?
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Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India, given in recognition of exceptional service to the nation The award is conferred by the President of India, with the advice of the Prime Minister and an advisory committee, and is given "without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex". It was first established in 1954 and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the country.
The awardee is awarded a medallion and scroll of honour, along with a citation with their name inscribed in it. The Bharat Ratna can be awarded to individuals of any nationality, though so far all recipients have been Indian citizens. It can also be awarded posthumously.
Some of the most famous awardees of the Bharat Ratna include:
1. Nelson Mandela: The South African leader, who led his country’s transition from Apartheid to a democratic nation, was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
2. Mother Teresa: The Nobel Peace Prize-winning missionary, who dedicated her life to helping the poor, was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1980.
3. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: The first Prime Minister of India, Nehru was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955.
4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: The first Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991.
5. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: The 11th President of India, Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997.
There have been 45 recipients of the Bharat Ratna since it was established in 1954. The most recent recipients are Madan Mohan Malaviya, who was awarded posthumously in 2019, and Bhupen Hazarika, who was awarded in 2019. The award serves as an important symbol of India’s highest recognition of its citizens' achievements and is a great honour to those who receive it.