The awarding of the Bharat Ratna to former prime ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Accompanying them will be MS Swaminathan, popularly referred to as the “father of the green revolution,” who will receive the highest civilian award in the nation. As a renowned statesman and scholar, Narasimha Rao served India enormously in a variety of capacities, according to a line-up post on X by Prime Minister Modi.
“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.
Narsimha Rao, a farmer and advocate who was born in Karimnagar, Telangana, on June 28, 1921, entered politics and held a number of significant positions. He served as Andhra Pradesh’s Minister of Law and Information from 1962 to 1964, Law and Endowments from 1964 to 1967, Health and Medicine from 1967 to 1971, and Education from 1968 to 1971. From 1971 to 1973, he served as Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister, and from 1975 to 1976, he was the All India Congress Committee’s general secretary. Using social media, Prime Minister Modi declared that this honor is devoted to the unparalleled service to the nation provided by the late Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
“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.
