Forty-six years ago today, on 25 January 1980, Mother Teresa was awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in recognition of her extraordinary humanitarian service.
The Albanian-born humanitarian, who devoted her entire life to serving the poorest and most marginalized, received the award as a symbol of India’s gratitude for her selfless charity and compassion.
Mother Teresa was the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order established to provide care and assistance to the poor, the sick, and the abandoned across the world.
Her contributions had been recognized earlier by the Indian state as well. In 1962, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri Award for her humanitarian assistance, while in 1969 she received the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.
In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the most prestigious international recognitions for peace and humanitarian work.
She was beatified on 19 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II and later canonized as a saint on 4 September 2016 by Pope Francis, officially recognizing her lifelong dedication to humanity and compassion.
Mother Teresa remains a global symbol of selflessness, charity, and peace, with a legacy that continues to inspire generations worldwide.
