After conferring India’s highest civilian award to the veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani, prime minister Narendra Modi announces to honour Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh scientist Dr MS Swaminathan with Bharat Ratna.

The prime minister announced this on his X handle today and wrote, “Delighted to share that our former prime minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.”

“As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, union minister, and as a member of parliament and legislative assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth,” he added.

“Narasimha Rao Garu’s tenure as prime minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets, fostering a new era of economic development. Furthermore, his contributions to India’s foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage,” the tweet read.

Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh

While announcing the honour for Chaudhary Charan Singh, PM Modi wrote on X handle in Hindi, “It is the good fortune of our government that former prime minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honoured with Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights of farmers and their welfare.”

The PM went on to say that be it the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh or the home minister of the country and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation building. He also stood firmly against the Emergency. His dedication to our farmer brothers and sisters and his commitment to democracy during the Emergency is inspiring to the entire nation.

MS Swaminathan

Prime minister Modi also announced Bharat Ratna for agricultural scientist Dr MS Swaminathan.

“It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare,” he wrote.

“He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernising Indian agriculture.”

“We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely and l always valued his insights and inputs.”

Notably, all three personalities will be conferred the award posthumously. Chaudhary Charan Singh died on May 29, 1987 while PV Narsimha Rao passed away in 2004, and MS Swaminathan passed away recently in September last year.

(Source: IANS)

-Edited for style