Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the latest recipients of India’s highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna for 2024—prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, and world-renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. Earlier, he had announced the names of the former Bihar chief minister and social activist Karpoori Thakur and the former deputy prime minister and BJP stalwart LK Advani. Except that for Advani, all the awards have been conferred posthumously.
This year, in an unusual move, the government chose to honour five individuals, exceeding the typically three recipients.
PV Narsimha Rao
PV Narasimha Rao, who served as prime minister from June 21, 1991 to May 16, 1996, hailed from Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh. He pursued his education at various institutions, including Osmania University, Bombay University and Nagpur University. Rao held key ministerial positions, including that of the minister for external affairs, home affairs and defence.
Chaudhary Charan Singh
Chaudhary Charan Singh, born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in 1902 and served as prime minister from July 28, 1979 to January 14, 1980. His political career was marked by multiple terms as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and two tenures as chief minister of the state. He was renowned as a farmer leader, often referred to as the champion of India’s peasants.
MS Swaminathan
MS Swaminathan, born in 1925, is renowned as the architect of the Green Revolution in India. He obtained degrees from various prestigious institutions, including Maharaja’s College in Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore Agricultural College and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). Swaminathan’s pioneering work in agriculture, particularly in genetics and plant breeding, has had a profound impact.
Lal Krishna Advani
Lal Krishna Advani, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, held the position of the party’s national president on multiple occasions. Over his parliamentary career spanning nearly three decades, he served in significant roles, including as home minister and deputy prime minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet.
Karpoori Thakur
Karpoori Thakur, born in Samastipur district, in Bihar in 1924, served as chief minister of Bihar twice and was a respected mentor to several current political leaders of the state. He is held in very high esteem as a leader of backward castes.
Established in 1954, the Bharat Ratna is awarded to individuals irrespective of race, occupation, position, or gender, in recognition of their exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor. Recommendations for the award are made by the prime minister to the President. Recipients of the Bharat Ratna receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion as a symbol of their remarkable achievements.
