On March 30, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu bestowed the prestigious Bharat Ratna upon five eminent personalities, including former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and P.V. Narasimha Rao. The honor was also extended posthumously to agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, and former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani.
The conferment ceremony, held at the presidential residence, saw Jayant Singh Chaudhary, the grandson of the late Chaudhary Charan Singh, accepting the award on behalf of his grandfather. Similarly, P.V. Prabhakar Rao received the honor on behalf of his father, P.V. Narasimha Rao. Nitya Rao, the daughter of M.S. Swaminathan, accepted the award on his behalf.
Prime Minister Modi took the opportunity to commend Chaudhary Charan Singh's unwavering commitment to the rights and welfare of farmers. He highlighted Singh's unparalleled contributions to the nation, particularly in the agricultural sector, underscoring his dedication to the betterment of farmers' lives.
हमारी सरकार का यह सौभाग्य है कि देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री चौधरी चरण सिंह जी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित किया जा रहा है। यह सम्मान देश के लिए उनके अतुलनीय योगदान को समर्पित है। उन्होंने किसानों के अधिकार और उनके कल्याण के लिए अपना पूरा जीवन समर्पित कर दिया था। उत्तर प्रदेश के… pic.twitter.com/gB5LhaRkIv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024
PM Modi also paid tribute to M.S. Swaminathan, acknowledging his instrumental role in revolutionizing Indian agriculture. He praised Swaminathan's efforts in fostering self-reliance in agriculture, especially during challenging periods, and his endeavors to modernize the agricultural landscape of the country.
The conferment of the Bharat Ratna upon these distinguished individuals symbolizes their remarkable contributions across various domains, leaving behind enduring legacies. This recognition not only honors their achievements but also serves as a moment of immense pride and honor for the entire nation.
LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu presents Bharat Ratna Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan https://t.co/KDAJF6vvOK
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 30, 2024