Bharat Ratna conferred on Former Prime Ministers Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh and Agricultural Scientist MS Swaminathan

February 9, 2024

Former prime ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, along with scientist M.S. Swaminathan will be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. The awards recognize their monumental contributions to India’s development and prosperity.

PV Narasimha Rao: The Architect of India’s Economic Reforms

The late PV Narasimha Rao served as the ninth Prime Minister of India from 1991-1996. He is widely credited as the architect of India’s economic liberalization in the 1990s.

Rao adopted policies that opened the Indian economy to global markets by dismantling the license-permit raj system. His visionary leadership and reforms ended the ‘License Raj’ and paved the way for foreign investments into India.
Rao fostered a new era of economic development that laid a solid foundation for India’s future economic growth and prosperity.
Rao pursued pragmatic foreign policy, boosting ties with US and Israel while stabilizing relations with China and Pakistan. Forged ‘Look East‘ policy with ASEAN nations.

Chaudhary Charan Singh: A Staunch Advocate for Farmers’ Rights

Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honored with the Bharat Ratna award posthumously for his unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the welfare of farmers in India.

Singh served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh twice and held several important portfolios at the national level, including Finance Minister and Home Minister.
However, he is best remembered as a champion of farmers’ rights and interests. Throughout his prolific political career, Charan Singh strongly advocated for the rights and welfare of the farmers. He was instrumental in implementing several pioneering initiatives for agriculture reforms and farmer prosperity. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Kisan Diwas or National Farmers Day.

His dedicated efforts for ensuring fair prices, timely loan waivers, and income security for farmers earned him widespread popularity among the farming communities across North India.

MS Swaminathan: The Father of India’s Green Revolution

Renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan has been honored with India’s highest civilian award for his instrumental role in pioneering the Green Revolution in India.

In the 1960s, Swaminathan implemented new technology and innovations in agriculture that transformed India’s food security situation. His introduction of high-yielding seeds, modern irrigation techniques, and optimal use of fertilizers led to a remarkable increase in crop productivity.
This averted the frequent famines and acute food shortage at that time. Swaminathan’s research and fieldwork made India self-sufficient in food grain production within a few years.

For his monumental contributions that made India food secure, he earned the title ‘Father of Green Revolution’. Swaminathan dedicated his life to agricultural advancement by promoting environmentally sustainable practices. As a scientist, he helped modernize Indian agriculture and mentored countless students.

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