The award has been conferred on 40 people since its inception in 1954, the first recipients being Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr C V Raman.

There is no written provision that only Indian nationals can be given a Bharat Ratna. It has been awarded to one naturalised India, Mother Teresa (1980) and two non-Indians, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990).

Process on for Padma awards: The Government initiated the process for the second highest national civilian honours, the Padma awards (Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri) over six months ago. An awards committee has been at work to shortlist nominations received from across the country.

The Union Home Ministry, that coordinates the exercise, is learnt to have received over 1,000 nominations since June last year, when the process for this year’s awards began.

It is not just state governments and institutions of excellence who can recommend individuals for these awards. “Individuals can also do so and the system also allows people to nominate themselves,” an official said.

Vinay Jha

All lit UP

Elaborate arrangements have been made in Lucknow for Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday today. Public places and parks associated with the party ideologues in the state Capital have been lit up and decorated.

Maya on song

A special CD of songs rendered by top Bollywood singers, including Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam and Kailash Kher, has been released. According to a party leader, Mayawati herself has approved the lyrics and given clear instructions that only this CD should be played on her birthday.

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