Edited by Deepali Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement that former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, and scientist Dr MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Mr Narasimha Rao was the prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is the man who heralded the economic liberalisation of Bharat. Mr Charan Singh, a champion of workers and farmers’ rights, served as the prime minister briefly in 1979. Dr Swaminathan is a renowned scientist, who is known as the architect of Bharat’s green revolution.
“I am delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” wrote the PM on X.
“Being a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served Bharat extensively in various capacities and is equally remembered for the work he did as CM of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, as well as a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was absolutely crucial in making Bharat economically advanced for laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth.”
“It is the fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honoured with Bharat Ratna and this honour is dedicated to his incomparable contribution. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and the welfare of farmers,” the PM announced.
“Be it in the capacity of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the country’s Home Minister and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation-building. He stood firmly against the Emergency. He was dedicated to our farmer brothers and sisters and his commitment to democracy during the Emergency is inspiring to the whole nation,” read a separate post of PM Modi.
“It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is gracing the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, to recognise his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. His role was crucial in helping Bharat achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made incredible efforts towards modernising agriculture in Bharat. We recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor as well as encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has both transformed Bharatiya agriculture and 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.
Further, the government has previously announced the country’s highest civilian honour for BJP veteran LK Advani and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.
Mr Narasimha Rao’s career stretched to roles such as an agriculturist, advocate, and a prominent political figure. Serving in various capacities, including Minister of Law and Information, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, Rao always exhibited a keen interest in diverse fields. He also had a stint as Bharat’s External Affairs minister. Mr Narasimha Rao is widely given credit for initiating pivotal economic reforms and appointing Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister during a tough economic period. His six-time parliamentary tenure was concluded with his death at the age of 83 in 2004.
Mr Charan Singh, Bharat’s fifth prime minister, was not only a politician but also a freedom fighter, aligning himself with Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle against British rule. He was the founder of the Lok Dal party in 1980 and is often hailed as the “Champion of India’s peasants”.
Dr Swaminathan contributed extraordinarily to Bharatiya agriculture, earning him the title of “Father of Economic Ecology.” As a global leader of the Green Revolution, Mr Swaminathan introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, saving Bharat from famine-like conditions in the 1960s.
