Every human craves appreciation. Even the smallest deed when appreciated generates a sense of respect and even the pettiest rewards when given become a reason for inspiration for the one who gets it. The Indian government had long realized the prominence of this human tendency. Due to this, government-initiated awards have been named for almost all types of recognizable activities, whether in literature, social work, sports, arts, or something else.
For example, the “Padma Awards” are among the most prestigious recognitions for Indians. It is a matter of honor for anyone who gets one. However, many other awards are also announced yearly for the people who stand out in their area of operation and bring laurels to the country. Let’s have a look at the top 10 national awards.
National Awards in India
1. Bharat Ratna
As India’s highest civilian honor, The Bharat Ratna is rewarded to some select and outstanding people. The custom of awarding Bharat Ratna started in the year 1954 and around 48 people have been conferred with it till 2023. It is presented as a recognition of an individual’s exceptional achievement, service, or performance which has largely influenced human beings. An individual rewarded with Bharat Ratna is usually a famous personality from social work, literature, music, or politics. Over some years, sports have also been included as an eligibility for Bharat Ratna since then, some sportsmen like Sachin Tendulkar have already been honored with Bharat Ratna. In the list, the award was instituted in 1954 and has been conferred on 48 individuals as of 2023.
2. Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan
Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan are the second and third topmost awards after Bharat Ratna and equally so, bring honour to their recipients. Again, people who show exceptional caliber in their work stream and get distinguished for their work or service are found eligible for Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. However, as a more likely practice, the achiever first gets Padma Bhushan and then Padma Vibhushan and so they are like two steps on the ladder. These awards, which were in the year 1954 have been extended to more than 330 people and around 1300 people respectively, till the year 2024.
Here it is important to note that Padma means a lotus flower and plant while Bhushan means recognition or respect. Lotus is already known for its unique characteristics and looks and that is why an award with this name matters a lot.
3. Padma Shri
Much like Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri is also a nominated award in India, and getting felicitated with Padma Shri is a subject of reputation for anyone. People from diverse fields who have taken significant initiatives for the betterment of life around them are chosen for the Padma Shri award.
Till today, thousands of people have qualified for the Padma Shri award, and among them, many have received this prestigious award. The award was introduced in the year 1954. It has been conferred to around 3600 people by the year 2024.
The National Awards in India touch almost every walk of life. While the above awards are best identified as civilian awards, there are separate awards for military personnel, or those serving the Indian Forces in any capacity. Soldiers who had to be martyrs in cross-border struggles or wars receive complete respect for their services and the sacrifice they have made for the motherland. By recognizing them with awards, the government of India shows care and humility for the families of the martyrs too. Below, let’s have a look at some of such awards.
4. Param Vir Chakra
The name Param means ultimate, Vir means brave and Chakra means wheel. As the name signifies, Param Vir Chakra is our nation’s highly honored and highest military decoration. The recipients of Param Vir Chakra are those who have shown exceptional courage and displayed amazing bravery in missions like those against the militants, fights against terrorists, or during a war. Like other awards, this award also can be given posthumous Param Vir Chakra award was initiated in the year 1950, and till 2023, around twenty-one military servicemen have been recipients of this award.
5. Ashoka Chakra
The Ashoka Chakra is India’s top peacetime gallantry award. This award too is conferred to soldiers who have shown noticeable valor and have even gone on to sacrifice their lives away on the battlefield. Till 2023, Ashok Chakra has been awarded to around 96 soldiers since 1952, the year it was introduced.
6. Kirti Chakra
Kirti means laurel and Kirti Chakra is the second most prominent peacetime gallantry award in our country. Soldiers with outstanding courage, incredible dedication, and unparalleled bravery get identified for Kirti Chakra. This award was started in 1967 and since then, around 295 people have been conferred this award.
The next set of awards is for the sportsmen showing noteworthy performance in their respective sports.
7. Arjuna Award
Any player who displays an excellent sporting spirit and makes a mark with his or her performance in the respective sport is eligible for the Arjuna Award. The name Arjuna comes from Mahabharat in which Arjuna was the most accurate bowman of that time. Having begun in 1961, around 800 players have received the Arjuna Award till now.
8. Dronacharya Award
Dronacharya was the teacher of Arjuna and many other characters of Mahabharat. Dronacharya played an important role in grooming Arjuna and helped him become a master at shooting arrows. The Dronacharya Award is reserved for sports coaches who show exceptional dedication in nurturing sportsmen and sportswomen. Starting 1985 and till 2023, approx. 340 coaches have received the Dronacharya Award for their dedicated service in a particular sport.
9. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award started in the name of India’s erstwhile Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This is also a sports award that was initiated in 1991 and the government has honoured around 150 sportspeople with this award.
Conclusion:
Over the years, these awards have not only written the names of winners in history with honor but they have also become a point of inspiration for others, particularly the people from the younger generation. These awards incite enthusiasm, trigger patriotism, ignite passion, and activate a hunger to contribute to the betterment of society and the country.
There is an equally large series of awards for artists, musicians, painters, writers, etc.; many receive them yearly. However, a stringent and process-oriented system exists as the selection criteria for these awards. Every aspect is evaluated by a team of experts who also get specially deployed for this purpose. By doing that, it is ensured that none of the acts of the deserving people remain unnoticed and anyone, regardless of his or her caste, background, location, financial status, etc., remains deprived of their eligible award.
