PM Modi announced Bharat Ratna for India’s ninth Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao for his contribution to Indian politics and the great services he provided to the country during his tenure. Mr. Narasimha Rao was the prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is known to be the man who heralded the economic liberalization of India.
On Wednesday, while speaking in Rajya Sabha Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the opposition party Congress never thought about the contributions of other leaders and kept giving recognition only to their family members. Finally, former Prime Minister Rao will receive Bharat Ratna Posthumously.
The Congress shunned Rao after he demitted office in 1996 after an eventful tenure that not just saw the Babri demolition but also the unshackling of the Indian economy and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) bribery scandal. For years, the Congress refused to acknowledge Rao’s role in opening up the Indian economy, the biggest reforms India has seen since independence.
Along with him, former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh, and scientist Dr MS Swaminathan will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.
Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” the PM wrote on X.
“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.”
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
“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.”
PV Narasimha Rao’s Daughter expressed her contentment on Bharat Ratna
Former Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao’s daughter Surabhi Vani Devi (71) said conferring Bharat Ratna to him made the whole family proud and happy that he “finally received the recognition he deserves”.
“It is a proud moment for the family. We are all very extremely happy. He has finally received the recognition he deserves. He is remembered and credited for the economic reforms and the great services he rendered to this country, and he deserves the Bharat Ratna – the highest honour,” she said.
By not taking the name of the respective party, to which her father belonged, Devi said family members had been hurt that he was ignored and that his contributions to the nation were brushed aside for many years.
PV Narasimha Rao Early life and contribution to Indian Politics
Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao, commonly known as P.V. Narasimha Rao, was an Indian politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He was born on June 28, 1921, and passed away on December 23, 2004. Rao was a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress party and held various ministerial positions before becoming Prime Minister.
During his tenure as Prime Minister, Rao initiated significant economic reforms known as the “New Economic Policy” or “Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization” (LPG) reforms. These reforms aimed to liberalize India’s economy and integrate it with the global economy, marking a departure from the country’s previously protectionist economic policies. Rao’s government also played a crucial role in normalizing relations with the United States and other countries.
Despite his contributions to economic reform, Rao’s tenure faced criticism for controversies such as the Babri Masjid demolition and allegations of corruption. However, he remains a notable figure in Indian political history for his role in shaping the country’s economic policies during a critical period of transition.