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Vinayak Narahari Bhave
Vinayak Narahari Bhave, also known as Vinoba Bhave, was born on 11 September 1895 into a Chitpavan Brahmin family in a village Gagode, (Maharashtra). Bhave was a thinker, scholar, and writer who wrote several books. As a translator of Sanskrit his editions of books were accessible to the common man; he was popularly known as Acharya.
V.N.Bhave was considered as a National Teacher of India. He was one of the prominent figures in India’s Independence movement with Gandhi Ji. Against the British rule in 1940 he was chosen as the 1st Individual Satyagrahi.
Vinoba Bhave started movement at Pochampally of Nalgonda district, Telangana, named as Bhoodan Movement on 18 April 1951 where he asked to donate land from their owners and give it to the poor’s and landless people for the cultivation. In 1954, he started Gramdan and asked for donations of whole village. As a result of his great movement he got 1000 villages in donation. For His unforgettable contribution in Independence Movement and Bhoodan Movement he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1983. On 15 November 1982 the great social reformer passed away.
Bharat Ratna Award
The highest civilian award of the Republic of India is known as BHARAT RATNA. It came into existence on 2nd January 1954. The award was in recognition of extraordinary performance in the field of literature, science, public services, and arts only. This award belongs to all people of India without any discrimination of sex, race, and age. Previously award belonged to only limited criteria but in December 2011 the criteria were changed to include all fields of human endeavour.
Maximum 3 nominees may be awarded per year and recommendations for the same are specially made by the PM to the President. A Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion in the shape of a peepal leaf are the only two things being given to the recipients; no money is granted with the award.
In the Indian order of precedence, the Bharat Ratna award comes in the seventh position. But Bharat Ratna recipients are constitutionally prohibited to use the award name as the title as per Article 18 of the Constitution of India.
Since 1954, 44 distinguished individuals have been awarded this prestigious and highest civilian award in the country.
Get the list of Bharat Ratna Awardees by clicking here.