Hyderabad: The Government of India has conferred the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian award, upon former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, along with agricultural scientist Dr MS Swaminathan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared this information on the micro-blogging site ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
“Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” the Prime Minister stated in his tweet.
PM Modi highlighted Narasimha Rao’s extensive service to India in various capacities, noting his roles as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly. “His visionary leadership played a pivotal role 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,” PM Modi continued.
Regarding former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh, PM Modi praised his incomparable contribution to the country, emphasizing his dedication to the rights and welfare of farmers. “His commitment to democracy during the Emergency and his unwavering support for our farmer brothers and sisters are inspiring to the entire nation,” he remarked.
Speaking about Dr MS Swaminathan, PM Modi noted that the Bharat Ratna was conferred upon him in recognition of his monumental contributions to India 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,” PM Modi stated.
“We also recognize his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor, 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 I always valued his insights and inputs,” PM Modi stated. (INN)