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Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira Gandhi; he was born on 20 August 1944. Though belonged to a highly political family, Rajiv remained apolitical almost all his life. He came into politics only reluctantly when his younger brother, Sanjay Gandhi died in 1980.
Rajiv Gandhi was chosen as the leader of Congress party after the assassination of her mother Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984; he became the Prime Minister of India in 1984 and remained in office till 1989.
His years in office were good for economic liberalisation and technological advances of the country; he was instrumental in the creation of MTNL and VSNL which expanded the telephone network in India considerably. Due to Rajiv Gandhi’s efforts as PM, the seeds of Information Technology (IT) Revolution were planted in India which later became helpful in making India an IT powerhouse of the world.
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber on 21 May 1991 during an election rally; he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991 for his public service.
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.
