Economist Bhalchandra Mungekar, Educationist Narendra Jhadav and renowned literary personality Padmashree Namdev Dhasal are the former recipients of the award.
Bharat Ratna Bodhisatva Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar , also known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, political leader, Buddhist activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, scholar, editor, revolutionary and a revivalist for Buddhism in India. He was also the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Indian Constitution. Born into a poor Mahar (considered an Untouchable caste) family, Ambedkar spent his whole life fighting against social discrimination, the system of Chaturvarna — the categorization of Hindu society into four varnas — and the Hindu caste system. He converted to Buddhism and is also credited with providing a spark for the conversion of hundreds of thousands of untouchables to Theravada Buddhism.
Born-April 14, 1891
Mhow, Central Provinces, British India (now in Madhya Pradesh)
Died-December 6, 1956 (aged 65)
Delhi, India
Nationality-Indian
Other names-Baba, Baba Saheb , Bohisatva,Bhima , Mooknayak,Adhunik Buddha
Education-M.A.,PH.D.,D.Sc.,LL.D.,D.LITT.,BARRISTER-AT-LAW
Alma mater-University of Mumbai
Columbia University
University of London
London School of Economics
Organization-Samata Sainik Dal, Independent Labour Party,
Scheduled Castes Federation, Buddhist Society Of India
Title-1st Law Minister of India, Chairman of the Constitution
Drafting Committee
Political party-Republican Party of India
Political movement-Ambedkar(ite) Buddhism
Religion-Buddhism
Spouse-Ramabai Ambedkar (m. 1906) , Savita Ambedkar (m. 1948)
Awards-Bharat Ratna (1990)
Ambedkar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1990.Overcoming numerous social and financial obstacles, Ambedkar became one of the first so called "Outcasts" to obtain a college education in India. Eventually earning law degrees and multiple doctorates for his study and research in law, economics and political science from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, Ambedkar gained a reputation as a scholar and practiced law for a few years, later campaigning by publishing journals advocating political rights and social freedom for India's so-called untouchables. He is regarded as a Bodhisattva by some Indian Buddhists, though he never claimed himself to be a Bodhisattva.