Five luminaries conferred Bharat Ratna by president Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu today conferred Bharat Ratna upon five eminent personalities including two former prime ministers (posthumously) and veteran BJP leader LK Advani.

Among the five personalities awarded Bharat Ratna, except for former deputy prime minister LK Advani, four others- ex-prime ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, eminent agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, would be awarded posthumously.

This is the first time five personalities have been awarded Bharat Ratna in the same year.

PV Narsimha Rao

PV Narasimha Rao is recognized for leading India out of an economic crisis through global integration, a significant achievement. As the first Telugu Prime Minister and the first outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to complete a full term, his legacy as a scholar-politician and astute strategist is celebrated.

Lal Krishna Advani

Lal Krishna Advani, widely revered as a towering figure within the BJP, is credited with orchestrating the party’s ascent from obscurity to prominence, notably through his influential Rath Yatra in the 1990s. His tenure as a minister saw notable reforms in media freedom. 

Chaudhary Charan Singh

Chaudhary Charan Singh, renowned as a champion of farmers' rights and dubbed the "farmer leader," left an indelible mark on Indian politics. 

Serving as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and later as Prime Minister of India, Singh's tenure saw significant pro-farmer legislation, including land reforms and support during droughts. His advocacy for farmers' ownership rights and introduction of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Bill showcased his commitment to agricultural upliftment.

Dr MS Swaminathan

Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, fondly known as Dr MS Swaminathan, stands as one of India's eminent agricultural scientists, credited with averting a potential famine in the 1960s through groundbreaking research.

Hailing from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Swaminathan's pivotal role in the Green Revolution, alongside American scientist Norman Borlaug, revolutionised wheat and rice production in India, significantly boosting yields and combating food scarcity.

Karpoori Thakur

Karpoori Thakur was the former Chief Minister of Bihar and advocate for social justice. “Thakur's unwavering commitment to uplifting the backward and deprived sections of society has left an enduring impact on India's socio-political landscape,” PM Modi had remarked about Thakur.

Compiled from IANS

-Edited for style