Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s family met with PM Narendra Modi in Hyderabad on Tuesday to convey their appreciation for bestowing the Bharat Ratna upon him. They also engaged in discussions covering various subjects including culture and India’s developmental achievements.
Former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, along with ex-Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and agronomist MS Swaminathan, were posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, by President Droupadi Murmu on March 30.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed in February that Narasimha Rao would receive the Bharat Ratna.
In a post on X platform, PM Modi highlighted Narasimha Rao’s extensive service to India in various capacities as a distinguished scholar and statesman.
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
“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 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, laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth,” the PM said.
“Narasimha Rao Garu’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets, fostering a new era of economic development. 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,” he added.
Upon reaching Hyderabad, had an excellent meeting with the family of our former PM, the respected scholar and statesman, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu. They thanked the Government of India for conferring the Bharat Ratna on Shri Narasimha Rao Garu. Our interaction was extensive and… pic.twitter.com/JOI24PLKa5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 7, 2024
Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, Narasimha Rao began his career as an agriculturist and advocate before entering politics and holding several significant positions. He served as the Minister of Law and Information from 1962 to 1964, Minister of Law and Endowments from 1964 to 1967, Minister of Health and Medicine in 1967, and Minister of Education from 1968 to 1971 in the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Rao also served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971 to 1973 and as the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee from 1975 to 1976.
Since taking office in 2014, the Modi government has announced Bharat Ratna awards for Lal Krishna Advani, Karpoori Thakur, Madan Mohan Malviya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh.