New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday conferred the Bharat Ratna to five distinguished personalities: Former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, agronomist MS Swaminathan, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart LK Advani at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the five awards this year, four are being conferred posthumously, while Advani, aged 96, is the sole living recipient.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended five distinguished individuals for the Bharat Ratna award. President Murmu is scheduled to confer the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, upon Lal Krishna Advani on Sunday, news agency ANI reported.
President Murmu will visit the residence of Advani to present him with the prestigious award. This decision was made in consideration of Advani’s declining health, as per sources within the BJP.
Advani, a founding member of the BJP, is recognized for shaping its trajectory during the 1990s.
Karpoori Thakur was a staunch advocate for the empowerment of backward communities.
PV Narasimha Rao, a seasoned Congress leader, served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, while Chaudhary Charan Singh was a key figure of anti-Congress politics. Hailing from western Uttar Pradesh, Singh, a Jat leader, held the position of Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980.
Dr. Swaminathan played a crucial role in helping India’s attain self-reliance in agriculture during difficult periods and contributed significantly to the modernization of Indian agriculture.
Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour bestowed for outstanding contributions to any sphere of human endeavor, irrespective of race, occupation, position, or gender. Established in 1954, the provision of the Bharat Ratna recognises exceptional service.
With this, the number of recipients of the prestigious award has risen to 53.
