New Delhi, Feb 09: In a historic move, the ruling government has announced five Bharat Ratna awards in a single year for the first time in Independent India’s history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that former PMs Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. Along with them, MS Swaminathan also known as the father of the green revolution will also be awarded the country’s highest civilian award.
According to official records from the Ministry of Home Affairs, 2024 marks the highest number of Bharat Ratna recipients in a single year since the award’s inception in 1954. This surpasses the previous record set in 1999, when four dignitaries were honoured with the Bharat Ratna, including Jayaprakash Narayan (Posthumous), Professor Amartya Sen, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (Posthumous), and Pandit Ravi Shankar.
In a line-up post on X, PM Modi said that as a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao served India extensively in various capacities.
“Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, 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,” the PM said.
“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,” he added.
Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, being an agriculturist and an advocate, Narsimha Rao joined politics and held some important portfolios. He was the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967 and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh. He was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971-73 and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee from 1975-76.
Taking to the social media platform, PM Modi said this honour is dedicated to the former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh’s incomparable contribution to the country.
“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 and welfare of farmers. Be it the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the Home Minister of the country, even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation-building. He also stood firm against the Emergency. His dedication to our farmer brothers and sisters and his commitment to democracy during the Emergency are inspiring to the entire nation,” PM posted on X.
Swaminathan, a prominent figure in Indian agriculture famed for his leading role in India’s ‘Green Revolution’, will be conferred the honour posthumously, the Prime Minister said.
On September 28, last year Swaminathan passed away at the age of 98 at his residence in Chennai.
Taking to ‘X’ PM Modi, said Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity.
“It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr MS Swaminathan, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing 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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on ‘X’.
Trained as a plant geneticist, Swaminathan’s significant contributions to India’s agricultural sector have earned him a reputation as the scientific leader of India’s green revolution movement. His work has been instrumental in the agricultural renaissance of India.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah expresses happiness on decision to honor former Prime Minister Shri PV Narsimha Rao ji with the Bharat Ratna.
In his post on X platform, Amit Shah said that “Bharat Ratna to Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao Garu is a befitting tribute to the legendary statesman who shaped the history of our nation with an iconoclastic vision, intellect, and statesmanship. The contributions of PV Narasimha Rao Ji in navigating our economy safely through one of the most turbulent times to an era of inclusive progress will always be remembered. As we celebrate the versatile leadership of PV Narasimha Rao Ji, I also express my heartfelt gratitude to PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for the decision to honour the political and intellectual giant with the most prestigious award.”
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has expressed happiness over former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh being awarded with Bharat Ratna.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Shri Amit Shah expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for honoring crores of farmers and working people of the country by honoring Chaudhary Saheb. He said thatChaudhary Charn Snigh ji, who was dedicated to farmers throughout his life, did many works for the welfare of farmers. Shri Shah said that Chaudhary Saheb remained dedicated to preserving democratic values throughout his life and fought the Emergency bravely. He added that through his decisions, Chaudhary Charan Singh ji showed the entire country that a farmer’s son can make decisions ranging from the country’s livelihood to policy issues.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah has expressed his happiness on decision to honor illustrious Dr. MS Swaminathan ji with the Bharat Ratna.
In his post on X platform, Shri Amit Shah said that “Honoring the illustrious Dr. MS Swaninathan Ji with the Bharat Ratna is a testament to our nation’s profound sense of gratitude towards the great souls who laid the foundation of its progress. Our history remembers Swaminathan Ji as a rare genius whose scientific prowess accomplished the Herculean task of leading our nation from an era of food crisis to food security. An academician par excellence the great Swaminathan Ji’s quests not only led to groundbreaking research works but also shaped numerous brilliant minds to continue the legacy. On this momentous occasion, I thank PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji for the historic decision to adorn our icon with the highest civilian award.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that our government under the leadership of PM Modi ji has taken cognizance of this for the first time. We make such decisions only after rising above politics.
BJP National President JP Nadda also extended his wishes and said that the work done by Chaudhary Charan Singh for farmers is unforgettable. (ANI)
