Awards and Honours

In simple words an award is an achievement to be worked toward, a specific goal or a recognition to be earned. When we talk about an honour it is granted without the recipient knowing about it until it is announced. One is Honoured when someone is officially recognized and respected for their accomplishments whereas award is a prize someone receives for something special they have achieved.

Every year, there are many types of Awards and honours given by the government of India as a token of appreciation to people or communities for their extraordinary work.

The Awards and Honours presented are as follows:-

Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna is one of the highest awards and honours, honoured or bestowed upon by the most outstanding people who have presented admirable work in their fields. The Bharat Ratna is also called the Jewel of India. It is the highest civilian honour in the republic of India. This award was first given in 1954, and it was originally bestowed upon those artists who made excellent contributions to literature, Public Service, art, or research. However, in December 2011, the standards were extended to “any area of human endeavour”.

The Prime Minister of India can also make or recommend selecting three individuals every year to the president of India to be bestowed with this award and honours. Bharat Ratna is a cashless award but they do receive a medal of Peepal leaf-shaped and a  signed certificate.

Padma Award

This is another one of the highest honourable awards and Honours constituted in 1954 and is given to  individuals who  have achieved outstanding records in sports, civil service education, social work, science, technology, industry, trade, and Public Relations. However, the Padma Shri award is subject to rules: if someone has received a lesser degree of the Padma awards, they can obtain a higher degree of the award only when it has been five years or more. Secondly, these awards are granted seldom and posthumously; however, exceptions can be made. The Government employees, including those employed by PSU, are not eligible for this type of award (exceptions – scientists and physicians).

• According to the Indian government, the Padma award is in three categories that are 

Padma Vibhushan

The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award of India. It is awarded by the Government of India, although there were occasions when it was awarded to an individual or individuals by the previous President under special circumstances.

Padma Bhushan

Padma Bhushan Award is the 3rd highest civilian award of India. The award is announced on the occasion of Republic Day of India. The award recipients are selected by a special committee constituted every year by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for Republic Day Honours.

Padma Shri

This is another one of the highest honourable awards and Honours founded in 1954 and is  given to those admirable individuals who achieved outstanding records in sports, civil service education, social work, science, technology, industry, trade, and Public Relations.

Sahitya Akademi Award

This award is bestowed to those who have succeeded in the field of literature and was established in 1954. It is one of the highest awards and Honours granted for literature. This award is awarded annually for literary, theory, merit, and publishing new works or poetry in any of Akademi’s 24 major languages.

The Other literary awards are as follows 

Sahitya Akademi Fellowship 

The Sahitya Academy Fellowship is offered by Akademi and is a prestigious fellowship. This is the highest distinction presented to the Fellows and Honorary fellows who are soldiers selected for their excellent contribution in literature, arts and fields. 

Bhasha Samman

Sahitya Academy issues this award, and every year selected writers have contributed excellent services to Indian languages. The Sahitya Academy prize protects this award, and it is presented to classical and medieval literature.

Jnanpith award

This award is also called the seat of knowledge and is one of the honourable awards and honours. This is bestowed upon those people for their outstanding literacy achievement; This award is awarded to those who write literary work  in any one of the 22 languages mentioned in the Indian Constitution schedule VIII and English.

Saraswati Samman 

This is one of the annual awards and Honours granted for poetry on literary works written in 22 Indian languages, specified in the Indian Constitution schedule; this is considered one of India’s top literature awards and honors and is also named after an Indian goddess of learning.

Dada Saheb Phalke Award 

Dada Saheb Phalke award was introduced in 1969 to honour  Dada Saheb Phalke, the legendary film director of India’s first full-length film Raja Harishchandra 1913 and is awarded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This award is only given to those pioneers or excellent civilians who have contributed to the growth and development of Indian cinema and who are also chosen by the committee of an eminent film industry figure.

Conclusion

An award is an achievement to be worked toward, a specific goal or a recognition to be earned. When we talk about an honour it is granted without the recipient knowing about it until it is announced. Bharat Ratna is one of the highest awards and honours, honoured or bestowed upon by the most outstanding people who have presented admirable work in their fields. Padma Shri is another one of the highest honourable awards and Honours founded in 1954 and was only given to those admirable individuals who achieved outstanding records in sports, civil service education, social work, science, technology, industry, trade, and Public Relations. On Republic Day, this award is being awarded. The Sahitya Academy Fellowship is offered by Akademi and is a prestigious fellowship. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), 128 personalities from different fields are honoured with the Padma Awards. Out of which 107 Padma Shri Awards, 17 Padma Bhushan and four Padma Vibhushan. Out of 128 awardees, 34 are women.