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Jayaprakash Narayan
Jayaprakash Narayan or JP was born on 11 October 1902 in Saran District of Bihar. He was a prominent freedom movement leader, socialist and leader of the masses. Since childhood, he was a brilliant student and after completing his initial education in Bihar he went to USA to pursue higher education.
But after returning to India, he joined the main stream political movement against the British and participated in various movements led by Gandhi ji. After independence, JP decided to quit politics and remained aloof for several years. He again returned to politics in Bihar in 1960s; he was very discontent about the condition of poor in the country, the rising prices, corruption etc.
JP was very dear to the masses and for the same reason he was popularly called as Lok Nayak. He came to the fore as the most important leader during the first half of the 1970s against the so-called corrupt practices of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He appealed to the masses for the Sampoorna Kranti or the Total Revolution; the Emergency was imposed on 25 June 1975 and JP along with his supporters was arrested. But the movement gained momentum in his name across the country and in the elections of 1977 the Congress party under the leadership of Indira Gandhi lost badly, the collective opposition under the guidance of JP won. But he didn’t take any post in Government and remained detached.
He died on 8 October 1979; Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan was awarded posthumously with the Bharat Ratna in 1999 to honour his services to the society and country.
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.
