Indian classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi has been announced for Bharatha Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country. The award was announced after lapse of a long period from 2001. Previously this award was announced to Ustad Bismillah Khan, Classical Shehnai Maestro in 2001.

Bharat Ratna the highest civilian award was constituted by the first president of India Shri Babu Rajendra Prasad on January 2, 1954 for the highest degrees of national service. The services include artistic, literacy, scientific achievements and well recognition of public service.

The award is conferred to forty four persons so far. Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first man was honoured with Bharath Ratna in 1954.

The award is conferred to forty four persons so far. Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first man was honoured with Bharath Ratna in 1954. The award was conferred to two non Indians and naturalized Indian citizen so far. Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are recorded with highest recipient of Bharath Ratna (eight each). It was conferred to twelve persons posthumously including Subhash Chandra Bose in 1992. Later it was withdrawn due to legal technicality. The Award Committee could not give conclusive evidence of Bose’s death and thus it invalidated the “posthumous” award. Shri Abul Kalam Azad freedom fighter and first education minister had declined to receive the award as he was one of the members of selection committee. He was honoured with Bharath Ratna posthumously in 1992. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990) were the two non Indians received the awards.