Bharat Ratna Award 2024 Winners List: Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was Friday conferred on former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh as well as agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. Announcing the three awards on social media platform X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded their many contributions to the country. Chaudhary Charan Singh: 'Dedicated his life to welfare of farmers' Chaudhary Charan Singh served as the fifth Prime Minister of India, albeit for a brief period of time. He was sworn in on July 28, 1979, and was compelled to step down just 170 days later after failing to prove his government's majority on the floor of Parliament. After exiting the Congress in Uttar Pradesh in the 1950s, he went on to form the first non-Congress government in the northern state. He also went on to form the Bharatiya Kranti Dal (BKD), which later merged with the Samyukta (United) Socialist Party to form the Bharatiya Lok Dal (BLD). Notably, following the revocation of the Emergency, the BLD emerged as a crucial component of the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government that came to power in 1977. PM Modi hailed his "commitment to democracy" and his "dedication" to the welfare of the farming community. "It is the good fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honored with Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country," wrote PM Modi. "He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and welfare of farmers. Be it the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the Home Minister of the country and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation building." 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 Former PM Narasimha Rao: 'Fostered a new era of economic development' Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao served as the 10th Prime Minister of India from June 21, 1991, to May 16, 1996, for a total of 1,791 days. He is best known for ushering the country into an era of economic reforms. Rao previously served as a minister in the Andhra Pradesh government and held a number of portfolios including law, education and health until 1971, when he took over as the Chief Minister. He remained the CM till 1973. Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri 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… pic.twitter.com/lihdk2BzDU — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024 In his post, PM Modi credited former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao with "fostering a new era of economic development" in the country. "Narasimha Rao Garu’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets," wrote PM Modi. "Furthermore, his contributions to India's foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage," PM Modi wrote, calling Rao "a distinguished scholar and statesman". MS Swaminathan: 'Visionary leadership transformed Indian agriculture' Known as the ‘Father of the Green Revolution’, Dr Swaminathan played a major role in the set of changes introduced in farming in the 1960s and ‘70s that helped India achieve food security. 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… pic.twitter.com/OyxFxPeQjZ — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024 PM Modi highlighted his contributions towards modernising India's agricultural sector. "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," said PM Modi. The announcement comes days after 96-year-old BJP stalwart LK Advani and two-time Bihar chief minister and socialist icon Karpoori Thakur (posthumously) were conferred with the highest civilian honour.
