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Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi, also known as Indira Priyadarshini, was the only child of the India’s first PM and great freedom fighter Jawaharlal Lal Nehru. Indira Gandhi was born on 19 November 1917 at Allahabad. Form the early childhood, due to her family’s close association with the freedom movement, Indira remained politically very active.
After the death of Nehru in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri became the second PM of India and in his ministry Indira Gandhi took the charge of Information and Broadcasting Minister. But the untimely death of Shastri in 1966, Indira was named as the leader of Congress Party and thus became the Prime Minister of India.
She was the first woman PM of India and remained in office for three successive terms from 1966 to 1977 and then again for the fourth term in 1980 to till her assassination in 1984. Indira Gandhi is remembered as one of the strongest ladies of 20th century world and during her time as PM of India, she successfully tried to make India as modern powerful nation of the world.
As a landmark reform, she abolished the Privy Purse and nationalized 14 major Banks in 1969. Indira Gandhi also supported East Pakistan’s fight for Independence against Pakistan and in 1971 fought a war against Pakistan for the same purpose which resulted in India’s victory and in the formation of Bangladesh as an Independent country.
She was conferred the Bharat Ratna award in the year 1971 while she was the PM of India. Though, the Emergency of 1975-77 is a black mark on her overall distinguished political and social career, she was a very strong leader of India at a time when the whole world was going through a tremulous period both politically and economically. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards on 31 October 1984 at her home in Delhi.
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.
