The 96-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, was conferred with the Bharat Ratna award on Easter Sunday, the day the BJP was formed in 1980. This holds special significance as the Jan Sangh, which merged with the Janata Party in 1976, separated and rechristened itself as the Bharatiya Janata Party on the same day, marking a new chapter in Indian politics. Advani's unique journey, breaking stereotypes and challenging the existing political and intellectual system, is a story that has left a lasting impact on Indian politics.
Bharat Ratna: India's Highest Civilian Honor
The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, conferred upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of art, literature, science, and public service. Instituted in 1954, the award has been given to some of the most illustrious personalities in the nation's history.
Lal Krishna Advani: Latest Recipient
On Easter Sunday, 2015, the 96-year-old Lal Krishna Advani became the latest recipient of the Bharat Ratna. This marked a special occasion, as the conferral coincided with the foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which Advani played a pivotal role in establishing.
Advani's journey in politics has been remarkable. Breaking stereotypes and challenging established norms, he emerged as one of the foremost leaders of the Indian right-wing. His contributions to the BJP's growth and the shaping of India's political landscape have left a lasting legacy.
History and Significance
The Bharat Ratna was first awarded in 1955 to C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C.V. Raman. Since then, it has been bestowed upon eminent individuals from various fields, including scientists, artists, musicians, writers, social workers, and politicians.
The award holds immense prestige and is considered the pinnacle of recognition for Indian citizens. It is given by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: Who is eligible for the Bharat Ratna? A: Any citizen of India who has made exceptional contributions to the nation in the fields of art, literature, science, and public service.
Q2: How is the Bharat Ratna conferred? A: The President of India confers the award on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Q3: What is the value of the Bharat Ratna? A: The Bharat Ratna does not carry any monetary value. It is purely a recognition of an individual's contributions to society.
Q4: Can the Bharat Ratna be revoked? A: Yes, the Bharat Ratna can be revoked in cases of proven misconduct or serious criminal offenses committed by the recipient.
Q5: What is the significance of Lal Krishna Advani receiving the Bharat Ratna? A: Advani's award marks a recognition of his contributions to Indian politics, his role in the establishment of the BJP, and his influence on the nation's right-wing. It also holds special significance as it coincides with the BJP's foundation day.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for attacking and distorting the legacy of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi's backing Chief Rufus Ada-George. The factional spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, accused Lere Olayinka and Tony Okocha of disrespecting elders and traditional rulers while defending the FCT Minister amidst political tensions. The faction also reminded the public of legal rulings that have dismantled the APC caretaker committee and extended a public apology to Chief Ada-George for the attempted character assassination.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi faced backlash for allegedly asking students to chant "Jai Shri Ram" at a public function. This comes after a bench of Supreme Court justices criticized him for holding up 10 bills for over three years and a disturbing video from Madhya Pradesh showed a 16-year-old boy hitting three children while forcing them to repeat a religious slogan. The incident has sparked debates about the usage of religious slogans in political events and their impact on public harmony.
In a show of solidarity, Gujarat Congress leaders have announced a mass gathering in Gandhinagar to protest against alleged discrepancies in the GPSC results. The party claims that candidates from marginalized communities have been unjustly given lower marks in the interview stage, leading to a denial of opportunities. Senior Congress leaders have met with affected candidates and accused the BJP-led state government of deliberately sidelining candidates from SC, ST, and OBCs. The protest aims to bring attention to this issue and demand a fair and unbiased selection process.
Speaking at the Rising North East Summit, PM Narendra Modi emphasized the diversity and strength of the North East region. He described it as the Ashtalakshmi and outlined its various assets, such as bio-economy, tea production, and ecotourism. He also stressed the importance of Eastern India in the development of a developed India and shared the government's policy for the region. The two-day summit aims to attract investment to the North East and showcase it as a land of opportunity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, expressing pride, warmth, and immense confidence in the region's future. He highlighted the Northeast's diversity and growing potential in various sectors, such as tourism, bio-economy, and bamboo industry. The Prime Minister praised the efforts of ministries and state governments in creating an investment-friendly environment and reaffirmed his commitment to the region's growth and prosperity.
A video of a non-Maharashtrian worker being threatened by a customer for not speaking Marathi at a farsan shop in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area has gone viral. In the video, the customer can be seen forcing the worker to learn Marathi or close his shop, despite the worker politely explaining the unrealistic expectations. This recent incident highlights the ongoing language war in Maharashtra and the discrimination faced by non-Maharashtrians. It also brings to light the similar incident that occurred with a Domino's delivery boy earlier this year.
In a major political development, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at 16 locations linked to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, including several educational institutions. The ED claims that the trust running these institutions made a payment to settle a Kannada actor's credit card bills, which could be damaging for the minister. Political analysts speculate that Parameshwara is being targeted because he is seen as a potential candidate for the Chief Minister's post. This crisis could also impact the informal understanding within the Congress party regarding succession of leadership in the state.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is intensifying its efforts to catch the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. As part of the investigation, the NIA has questioned locals and gathered photos and videos of the attack. Now, the agency is appealing to tourists and residents to come forward with any relevant information that could help solve the case. The Maoist insurgency in India is facing a potential leadership crisis after the death of their general secretary, and two leaders are being considered as potential successors. The party is also facing recruitment challenges and calls for peace talks.
A viral video of a State Bank of India official in Bengaluru refusing to speak Kannada with a customer has sparked outrage and led to the official's transfer. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly condemned the incident and emphasized the importance of speaking local languages. He has called for mandatory cultural and language training for bank employees and urged them to respect local languages as it is a sign of respecting the people. The incident has reignited debates over linguistic identity in Karnataka, with some arguing for mandatory use of Kannada in banks.
A gunfight erupted between security forces and terrorists in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, with local reports suggesting that three terrorists are trapped in the encounter. The clashes come after India conducted precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in Pakistan's attempted attacks on Indian military bases. This comes as part of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people.