Bharat Ratna: LK Advani Conferred With India’s Highest Civilian Award At His Residence By President Droupadi Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, on veteran politician Lal Krishna Advani at his residence on March 31. This was done considering Advani’s frail health. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda were present during the conferral. Earlier in February, PM Modi had announced that Advani would be awarded the Bharat Ratna for his monumental contribution to India’s development.

Popularly known as LK Advani, he is considered one of BJP’s tallest leaders who helped the party gain prominence from obscurity. His Rath Yatra in the 1990s catapulted BJP into national politics. Advani served as BJP President for the longest period since its inception in 1980. During Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister from 1999-2004, Advani first served as Home Minister and later as Deputy Prime Minister.

Born on November 8, 1927 in Karachi, Advani migrated to India due to partition. After graduating from DG National College in Hyderabad, he studied law in Mumbai. He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1947 taking charge of its Rajasthan activities. When Syama Prasad Mookerjee founded BJP’s predecessor Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, Advani became its Rajasthan unit’s Secretary, serving until 1970.