3 More Awarded ‘Bharat Ratna’ This Election Year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh and agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan will be conferred Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

Usually, three Bharat Ratna awards are given in a year. However, in this election year, government has named five people for Bharat Ratna, including veteran BJP leader LK Advani and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.

Mr Narasimha Rao was the prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is known to be the man who heralded the economic liberalisation of India. Mr Charan Singh, a champion of workers and farmers' rights, briefly served as the prime minister in 1979. Dr Swaminathan, a renowned scientist, is known as the architect of India's green revolution. 

"Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna," the PM wrote on X. "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."

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 honor is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and welfare of farmers," the PM announced.

"It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, 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," the PM added. 

The government had earlier announced the country's highest civilian honour for BJP veteran LK Advani and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.