New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday conferred Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, on Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart and former deputy prime minister LK Advani at his residence here.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and the family members of Mr Advani, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X.

President Murmu presented the Bharat Ratna to Mr Advani at his residence, it said.

President Droupadi Murmu presented Bharat Ratna to Shri L. K. Advani at his residence. The formal ceremony was attended by Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the family… pic.twitter.com/flAH4OqaP1

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 31, 2024

Mr Advani, a doyen of Indian politics, has served the nation with unwavering dedication and distinction for over seven decades, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Born in Karachi in 1927, he migrated to India in 1947 against the backdrop of partition.

With his vision of cultural nationalism, he toiled hard for decades, across the length and breadth of the country, and brought about a transformation in the socio-political landscape, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

“When the Emergency put India’s democracy at risk, the indefatigable crusader in him helped guard it against authoritarian tendencies,” it said in the post on X and shared pictures of the ceremony.

Mr Advani (96) served as the deputy prime minister from June 2002 to May 2004 and as the Union Home Minister from October 1999 to May 2004. He had been BJP president multiple times — from 1986 to 1990, 1993 to 1998 and 2004 to 2005. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the contributions of those conferred the Bharat Ratna on Saturday by President Droupadi Murmu, paying rich tributes to former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh besides other luminaries.

“Every Indian cherishes what PV Narasimha Rao Garu has done for our nation and feels proud that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna. He worked extensively to further our country’s progress and modernization. He is also known as a respected scholar and thinker. His contributions will forever be cherished,” PM Modi said on X.

Every Indian cherishes what PV Narasimha Rao Garu has done for our nation and feels proud that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna. He worked extensively to further our country’s progress and modernization. He is also known as a respected scholar and thinker. His contributions… pic.twitter.com/gyZmXYTL0n

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2024

He said the Bharat Ratna for Mr Singh is a recognition of his contributions to India’s development, particularly in agriculture and rural development.

“I am sure this honour will inspire future generations to uphold the values of hard work, dedication and public service that he epitomized,” he said.

Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji’s Bharat Ratna is a recognition of his contributions to India’s development, particularly in agriculture and rural development. I am sure this honour will inspire future generations to uphold the values of hard work, dedication and public service that he… pic.twitter.com/ujx3naWMwX

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2024

The country’s highest civilian award for Karpoori Thakur is a fitting tribute to a stalwart who dedicated his life to social justice and equality, the prime minister said.

Known as a champion of the downtrodden, Mr Thakur’s contributions to the uplift of the marginalized and his relentless fight for the rights of the backward classes have left an indelible mark on the fabric of Indian society, he said.

“The Bharat Ratna to him highlights the values of inclusivity and compassion that are essential to the nation’s ethos,” he said.

The Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur Ji is a fitting tribute to a stalwart who dedicated his life to social justice and equality. Known as a champion of the downtrodden, his contributions to the upliftment of the marginalized and his relentless fight for the rights of the… pic.twitter.com/DPcfloiOcH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2024

Referring to agronomist M S Swaminathan, PM Modi described him as a revered figure in the world of agriculture who is widely admired for his pioneering work and research in the field of genetics and agricultural science.

He said, “His efforts propelled India from struggle to self-sufficiency in food production. May the Bharat Ratna conferred on him inspire more people to take up research in agriculture and food security.”

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, a revered figure in the world of agriculture, is widely admired for his pioneering work and research in the field of genetics and agricultural science. His efforts propelled India from struggle to self-sufficiency in food production. May the Bharat Ratna… pic.twitter.com/GpaaMtjXA8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 30, 2024

All the four stalwarts were bestowed the honour posthumously. Their family member received the honour for them.

Veteran BJP leader L K Advani is the only living person among the recipients of the honour this year. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)