Mother Teresa is honored with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna

Mother Teresa: A Life Dedicated to the Poorest of the Poor

Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on 26 August 1910, in Skopje, then part of the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire (now the capital of North Macedonia), became a globally revered figure, honoured in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. This Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary dedicated her life to serving the destitute and forgotten. After spending her initial eighteen years in Skopje, she embarked on a profound spiritual journey, moving first to Ireland and then to India, where she would reside for the vast majority of her life and establish her enduring legacy.

A pivotal moment in her mission came in 1950 when Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta (now Kolkata). This Roman Catholic religious congregation was established with a singular focus: to offer "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor." The growth of this organization was remarkable; by 2012, it had expanded to include over 4,500 nuns actively serving in 133 countries across the globe. The Missionaries of Charity manage numerous humanitarian initiatives, including specialized homes for individuals suffering from terminal illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, providing them with care and dignity in their final days. Beyond these homes, the congregation operates a wide array of vital services: soup kitchens that feed the hungry, dispensaries and mobile clinics offering essential healthcare, children's and family counselling programmes, and critical support through orphanages and schools. Members of this congregation undertake the traditional religious vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, alongside a unique fourth vow specifically committing them to provide selfless, devoted service to the most marginalized members of society.

Mother Teresa's tireless work garnered significant international acclaim. She was the recipient of numerous prestigious honours, including the 1962 Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize, often regarded as Asia's Nobel Prize, for her community leadership. Her profound commitment to peace through service was further acknowledged with the ultimate recognition, the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. She was officially canonised as a saint by Pope Francis on 4 September 2016, a process which involved the verification of two miracles attributed to her intercession. The anniversary of her death, 5 September, is now globally observed as her feast day within the Catholic Church.

Despite widespread admiration for her immense charitable contributions, Mother Teresa remained a complex and sometimes controversial figure during her lifetime and after her passing. While lauded for her unwavering dedication to the dying and neglected, she faced criticism on various fronts, including her conservative views on issues such as abortion and contraception, which some argued were at odds with public health initiatives. Concerns were also raised regarding the conditions and medical practices within some of her homes for the dying, which critics argued lacked modern medical standards, particularly in pain management and hygiene. Her authorized biography, authored by Navin Chawla, was published in 1992, and her life has been the subject of numerous films and books, reflecting her significant global impact and the ongoing discussions surrounding her legacy. On 6 September 2017, in a notable recognition of her enduring spiritual influence, Mother Teresa was named a co-patron of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta, sharing this honour with St. Francis Xavier.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mother Teresa

When was Mother Teresa canonised?
Mother Teresa was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Pope Francis on 4 September 2016, following the verification of two miracles attributed to her.
What is the fourth vow taken by the Missionaries of Charity?
Beyond the traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, members of the Missionaries of Charity profess a unique fourth vow: to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."
Where did Mother Teresa spend most of her life?
After moving from her birthplace in Skopje and a brief period in Ireland, Mother Teresa spent the majority of her life and conducted her foundational work in India, particularly in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

The Bharat Ratna: India's Foremost Civilian Distinction

The Bharat Ratna (Hindi pronunciation: [ˈbʱaːrət ˈrətnə]), translating to "Jewel of India," stands as the highest civilian award of the Republic of India, symbolizing the nation's profound appreciation for exceptional merit and service. Instituted on 2 January 1954, this prestigious award is conferred in recognition of "exceptional service/performance of the highest order," designed to be entirely egalitarian, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. Initially, the award's scope was limited to achievements in specific fields such as the arts, literature, science, and public services. However, reflecting a broader recognition of human excellence, the Indian government significantly expanded these criteria in December 2011 to include "any field of human endeavour," making it truly comprehensive.

The process for selecting Bharat Ratna recipients is highly distinguished: recommendations are made directly by the Prime Minister of India to the President, with a strict limit of a maximum of three nominees being awarded in any given year. Recipients of this esteemed honour do not receive a monetary grant. Instead, they are presented with a Sanad (certificate) personally signed by the President of India and a distinctive peepal leaf-shaped medallion. This bronze-toned medallion, designed to resemble a peepal tree leaf, features a sunburst design on the obverse with the words "Bharat Ratna" inscribed in Devanagari script. The reverse side bears the State Emblem of India and the national motto, "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs). Recipients of the Bharat Ratna are also accorded a special symbolic status, ranking seventh in the Indian order of precedence, a protocol list used for state and ceremonial events.

The inaugural Bharat Ratna awards were bestowed in 1954 upon three towering figures who had profoundly impacted modern India: C. Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of the Dominion of India and a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu; Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India's second President and its first Vice President, a renowned philosopher and statesman; and C. V. Raman, the Nobel Prize-winning Physicist credited for his work on the scattering of light. Since its inception, the Bharat Ratna has been conferred upon 48 individuals, including 14 who received the honour posthumously. While the original statutes did not initially provide for posthumous awards, this provision was wisely amended in January 1955 to allow for the recognition of individuals after their passing. Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri holds the distinction of being the first individual to be honoured posthumously in 1966.

The Bharat Ratna has been awarded to individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting its broad scope. In 2014, the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, then aged 40, became the youngest recipient of the award, recognizing his monumental contributions to the sport and national pride. Conversely, the venerable social reformer Dhondo Keshav Karve was honoured on his 100th birthday, highlighting the award's recognition of a lifetime of service. Cultural icons have also been celebrated, with M. S. Subbulakshmi becoming the first singer and M. G. Ramachandran the first actor to receive the Bharat Ratna. While typically conferred on India-born citizens, the award has also transcended national boundaries: Mother Teresa, a naturalized Indian citizen, was a recipient, as were two non-Indian citizens – Abdul Ghaffar Khan (born in British India and later a citizen of Pakistan) and the iconic anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, a citizen of South Africa. The most recent awards, announced on 25 January 2019, honoured social activist Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously), singer-music director Bhupen Hazarika (posthumously), and former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

The history of the Bharat Ratna has not been without its pauses and controversies. The award, along with other personal civil honours, faced two periods of suspension. The first occurred from July 1977 to January 1980, during a significant change in the national government, when the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai temporarily discontinued it. A second suspension took place from August 1992 to December 1995, prompted by several public-interest litigations that challenged the constitutional validity of these civilian awards, arguing they violated Article 18(1) of the Constitution which prohibits the state from conferring "titles." The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the awards as valid "decorations" and not "titles" in its landmark 1995 ruling, leading to their reinstatement.

One of the most notable controversies involved the posthumous conferral of the award on freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose in 1992. This decision faced strong opposition, particularly from members of his extended family and many adherents who refused to accept the official account of his death in a 1945 plane crash. Following a Supreme Court decision in 1997, the press communiqué announcing Bose's award was ultimately cancelled, marking the only instance where the Bharat Ratna was announced but never formally conferred. Furthermore, the posthumous bestowals upon historical figures like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1991) and Madan Mohan Malaviya (2015) also drew criticism, as both individuals had died decades before the award was formally instituted in 1954, raising questions about the criteria for such retrospective honours.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Bharat Ratna

What is the Bharat Ratna?
The Bharat Ratna, meaning "Jewel of India," is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India, recognizing exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
Are Bharat Ratna recipients awarded money?
No, there is no monetary grant associated with the Bharat Ratna award. Recipients receive a certificate (Sanad) signed by the President and a distinctive peepal leaf-shaped medallion.
Can non-Indian citizens receive the Bharat Ratna?
Yes, while typically conferred on Indian citizens, the Bharat Ratna has been awarded to naturalized Indian citizens (like Mother Teresa) and two non-Indian citizens (Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela).
Why was the Bharat Ratna suspended at times?
The Bharat Ratna was suspended twice: first from 1977-1980 due to a change in government, and second from 1992-1995 when its constitutional validity was challenged in court. It was reinstated after the Supreme Court upheld its legality.