Bharat Ratna 2024: PM Modi said MS Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity, noting that he knew him closely and always valued his insights and inputs. The agronomist passed away last year.
President Droupadi Murmu today (March 30) conferred Bharat Ratna to eminent personalities including two former Prime Ministers (posthumously) and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani.
LK Advani will receive the award at his residence tomorrow (March 31)
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. The government had announced five Bharat Ratna awards this year, including one to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart and former deputy prime minister LK Advani.
Four former PMs awarded posthumously
Among the five personalities who were awarded Bharat Ratna, except for former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, four others- ex-Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, eminent agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur were awarded posthumously.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had posted on X, “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 the 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 and laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth. While announcing the honour for Chaudhary Charan Singh, PM Modi wrote on X, “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 contributions to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights of farmers and their welfare.
It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on 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 modernising Indian agriculture,” the Prime Minister said.
With inputs from agencies)
