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Suresh Raina Appeals for Bharat Ratna & Urges BCCI for Farewell Match to Virat Kohli

May 18, 2025, 4:41 pm

Suresh Raina, a former Indian cricket player, has urged the BCCI to set up a final match for Virat Kohli in Delhi and urged the Indian government to award him the Bharat Ratna. Suresh Raina’s remarks follow Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket, which ended his incredible 14-year career with over 9,000 runs and 40 victories as captain. Suresh Suresh Raina insisted that Kohli should receive the highest civilian honor in the country for his unparalleled contribution to Indian cricket.

Additionally, he emphasized that Virat Kohli ought to have received a dignified farewell at his home field in front of his coach and family. Even though a farewell now seems unlikely, tributes have already started. During an IPL match, Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium honored Kohli.

Suresh Raina Pushes for Bharat Ratna Honour

Suresh Raina stated on Star Sports that Virat Kohli is deserving of India’s highest civilian honor. He mentioned Virat Kohli’s accomplishments both on and off the field, as well as his contributions to Indian cricket.

“The number of achievements Virat Kohli has accomplished, and whatever he has done for India and Indian cricket, for that he should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” Raina stated.

🗣 “BOHOT BADA BRAND HAI VO” @ImRaina shares memories of #ViratKohli’s Test career and their time together in Indian colours 🙌

📺📲 Watch the special tribute: 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧 👉 https://t.co/rp4Dvb3SkG pic.twitter.com/cST8Lp6YDI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 13, 2025

The only athlete to win the Bharat Ratna to date is Sachin Tendulkar. However, Virat Kohli has already received a number of noteworthy honors. These include the Arjuna Award in 2013, Padma Shri in 2017, and the Khel Ratna in 2018.

A Farewell Game in Delhi

Suresh Raina also urged Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium to host Virat Kohli’s final Test match. He emphasized the significance of allowing Kohli to play one final game in front of his family and Raj Kumar Sharma, his childhood coach.

“His family and coach would have been there to support him… After doing so much for the country, you communicate with him because he deserves a retirement match,” Raina said.

But it now appears doubtful that a farewell Test will be held. With immediate effect, Virat Kohli has already ended his red-ball career. Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium honored during an IPL game in spite of the rain.

Virat Kohli’s Stunning Career in Tests

In an Instagram post, Virat Kohli declared his retirement from Test cricket. In 123 Test matches, he amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. Thirty-one fifties and thirty hundreds are included in his total. In addition, he captained India for 68 games, winning 40 of them, the most of any Indian captain.

Only a few weeks before the England vs. India Test series, the announcement shocked fans. A week prior, Rohit Sharma, Kohli’s teammate, had announced his retirement from Test cricket. Both contemporary legends left without playing their final games in white.

Rohit and Kohli had both previously resigned from T20Is. They now want to concentrate on ODIs, especially the ICC World Cup in South Africa in 2027. Raina’s request to give Kohli the lavish farewell he so richly deserves is a reflection of a larger sentiment as India gets ready for the future.

Bajwa seeks Bharat Ratna for Late Dr Manmohan Singh, Proposes joint resolution in Punjab Assembly

January 6, 2025, 12:15 am

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa has called for a joint resolution in the Punjab Assembly to recommend the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Bajwa proposed the initiative to recognise Singh’s “monumental contributions to India’s progress and his exemplary service to the nation.”

Bajwa also reached out to BJP Legislative Party leader Ashwani Sharma, Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, and Bahujan Samaj Party lawmaker Nachhatar Pal, suggesting the formation of an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advocate for conferring the honour on Singh.

Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation, passed away on December 26 at the age of 92 due to age-related complications. Bajwa highlighted Singh’s pivotal role in shaping modern India, particularly his tenure as the principal architect of the 1991 economic reforms and as Prime Minister, where he prioritised inclusive growth, social justice, and economic stability.

In his letter, Bajwa described Singh as a unifying force in Indian politics, whose calm demeanour and intellectual acumen transcended political boundaries. He emphasised Singh’s contributions to Punjab, particularly in addressing challenges in agriculture, rural development, and education.

Bajwa shared his proposal on social media, stating, “Honouring Dr Singh with the Bharat Ratna will celebrate his extraordinary contributions and reaffirm our shared commitment to democracy, integrity, and excellence in public service.”

The Qadian MLA asserted that recognising Singh’s legacy would inspire future generations and showcase a unified commitment from Punjab’s leaders. He expressed hope for bipartisan support in passing the resolution during the Assembly’s next session, urging all stakeholders to come together to honour Singh’s enduring legacy.

Bajwa seeks Bharat Ratna for Late PM Manmohan Singh

January 5, 2025, 11:11 pm

Bajwa reached out to BJP Legislative Party leader Ashwani Sharma

Khap Leader Demands SC Judge Inquiry and Bharat Ratna for Vinesh Phogat

August 12, 2024, 12:14 am

A Khap leader from Haryana, Sombir Sangwan, has called for an investigation by a sitting Supreme Court judge into the “conspiracy” surrounding former wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Phogat, who hails from Haryana, recently retired after being disqualified from her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics due to a minor weight discrepancy.

Sangwan’s statement came after a ‘Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat’ in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, where several Khaps gathered to demand “justice” for Phogat and urged her to reconsider her retirement. Sangwan emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into how Phogat’s weight increased by just 100 grams, saying, “The incident should be probed by a serving Supreme Court judge… she should get justice. We also need to know how her weight increased suddenly. Several persons accompanied her and it was their responsibility to ensure that her weight did not increase.”

At the Paris Games, Phogat, 29, was competing in the 50 kg category but exceeded the weight limit by only 100 grams before the final. This minor excess resulted in her being disqualified, placing her last and making her ineligible for a medal. Had she won, Phogat would have become the first female wrestler from India to win an Olympic gold or silver.

Phogat has since appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and is seeking a co-silver. The CAS is expected to announce its verdict on Tuesday.

In addition to the inquiry, Sangwan also urged the government to award Phogat the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. He stated, “She should get the facilities that an Olympic gold medal winner gets.”

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has already announced that Phogat will be honored “like a silver medalist.”

Former PM PV Narasimha Rao’s Family Conveys Gratitude To PM Modi For Bharat Ratna

May 8, 2024, 1:10 am

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.

In another post on X, PM Modi was seen meeting the family of the former PM.

“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 we talked about several subjects. The family members expressed joy on India’s progress in the recent years. We also spoke about the richness of Indian culture and traditions,” the post said.

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.

President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna on four distinguished personalities

March 30, 2024, 1:05 pm

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna on four distinguished personalities on Saturday, including former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, along with former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and agronomist MS Swaminathan. LK Advani, a BJP leader, was also among the recipients of the country’s highest civilian award this year.

According to sources, President Murmu visited senior BJP leader LK Advani’s residence to bestow upon him the prestigious award, considering his ailing health.

The award for former PM Charan Singh was received by his grandson, Jayant Singh, while PV Narasimha Rao’s son, PV Prabhakar Rao, accepted his father’s honor. Nitya Rao, MS Swaminathan’s daughter, received the award on behalf of her father, and Karpoori Thakur’s son, Ram Nath Thakur, accepted the honor on his behalf.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, and Congress leader and LoP Mallikarjun Kharge were among the dignitaries present at the ceremony.

Narasimha Rao, born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, held significant portfolios in Andhra Pradesh’s government before serving as the Chief Minister and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee.

MS Swaminathan, trained as a plant geneticist, played a pivotal role in India’s green revolution, revitalizing the agricultural sector.

LK Advani, born in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party and held key ministerial positions in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet.

Karpoori Thakur, born in 1924, was a prominent leader dedicated to uplifting marginalized sections of society, serving as the Chief Minister of Bihar and advocating for social equality.

Chaudhary Charan Singh, born in 1902 in Uttar Pradesh, was an influential political figure, serving as a Cabinet Minister and holding various portfolios in the government.

Karpoori Thakur’s Bharat Ratna Award: Family Thanks PM Modi, Await President Murmu’s Ceremony

March 30, 2024, 10:51 am

The relatives of the late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur have expressed their gratitude and happiness to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, upon Thakur posthumously.

President Droupadi Murmu is set to award the Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur this Saturday. The family of the late Bihar Chief Minister has arrived in Delhi to accept the honor on his behalf. Accompanying them is Bihar Minister Maheshwar Hazari.

In a statement to ANI, Ram Nath Thakur, son of Karpoori Thakur and JD(U) leader, expressed, “The people of Bihar and the country are as happy as I am today. Nitish Kumar ji had continuously appealed to the government of India to confer Bharat Ratna on Karpoori Thakur ji.”

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Namita Kumari, the granddaughter of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, described it as a “historic moment” not only for their family but for the entire state of Bihar.”It’s difficult to express in words how happy I feel today. It is a historic moment, not just for the family but for the entire state of Bihar. I would like to thank PM Modi,” she stated.

Ranjit Kumar, the grandson of the former Chief Minister of Bihar, also expressed his thanks to PM Modi for naming Karpoori Thakur as a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.”When PM Modi invited our family to his residence, he told us that he decided to confer Karpoori Thakur with this award. Foremost, I would like to thank him for this,” he said.

Maheshwar Hazari expressed gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank PM Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar ji for this. The people of Samastipur have always believed that Karpoori Thakur should be conferred with such an honour.”

This year, the central government has declared five recipients for the Bharat Ratna, India’s most prestigious civilian honor. Prime Minister Modi has proclaimed that the award will be posthumously bestowed upon former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao.

Additionally, MS Swaminathan, renowned for his pivotal role in India’s Green Revolution, will receive the accolade. The honor will also be extended to veteran BJP leader LK Advani and the late Karpoori Thakur, a former Chief Minister of Bihar. This marks the highest number of Bharat Ratnas awarded in a single year since 1999, when four individuals were recognized.

Deve Gowda Urges to Not Differ on Bharat Ratna Announcements

February 10, 2024, 2:40 pm

Deve Gowda, former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) veteran, praised the central government’s decision to bestow the Bharat Ratna on Saturday and urged those who disagreed with the decision not to oppose it.

“Unnecessary, let us not try to again differ on a major issue taken by our prime minister to confer Bharat Ratna for these great leaders,” said the veteran leader speaking in Rajya Sabha today, the last session of the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.

The government announced on Thursday that Chaudhary Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao, and MS Swaminathan will be given the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Speaking about the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha, which was debated in the Upper House today, the JDS veteran, who attended the January 22 ceremony, stated that Lord Rama and his heavenly blessings had unified our nation and laid the foundation for it.

“I and my wife both attended the consecration of the Lord Rama temple in Ayodhya. It was a great moment of personal joy and devotion for me like it was to millions of Indians. Ayodhya Ram existed in our hearts and minds is an image that our ancestors and elders have permanently created. Lord Rama is a symbol of righteousness, he is a symbol of love and graciousness, is a man who followed dharma and Raj Dharma, he was very accommodative,” Gowda said.

“It is these values that are enshrined in Lord Rama that drew Mahatma Gandhi to him. It is Mahatma Gandhi who made Lord Rama a symbol of the great virtues of our nation. It is through Lord Rama and his divine blessings that united this nation and laid the foundation for our nation,” Gowda added.

He also expressed his wish and prayer that the Lord Rama temple in Ayodhya will become a symbol of our nation and the world. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on strictly following the 11-day fasting practices leading up to Ram Lalla Pran Pratistha day.

“I was so happy and I must be very frank that the prime minister was so dedicated and so sincere while performing the Pran Pratistha function,” Deve Gowda said.

This is the final session of the current Lok Sabha before the general elections, which are expected to take place in April-May this year.
The budget session was originally slated to end on February 9 but has been prolonged by one day.

PM Modi tweets ‘Chaudhary Charan Singh, Former PM PV Narasimha Rao and Dr. MS Swaminathan to be honoured with Bharat Ratna’

February 9, 2024, 1:44 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared the information on social media that Former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh, Former PM PV Narasimha Rao and agronomist, agricultural scientist Dr. MS Swaminathan will be honoured with Bharat Ratna.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “It is the good fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honoured with Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and welfare of farmers.”

“Be it the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the Home Minister of the country and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation-building. He also stood firm against the Emergency. His dedication to our farmer brothers and sisters and his commitment to democracy during the Emergency is inspiring to the entire nation,” he added.

हमारी सरकार का यह सौभाग्य है कि देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री चौधरी चरण सिंह जी को भारत रत्न से सम्मानित किया जा रहा है। यह सम्मान देश के लिए उनके अतुलनीय योगदान को समर्पित है। उन्होंने किसानों के अधिकार और उनके कल्याण के लिए अपना पूरा जीवन समर्पित कर दिया था। उत्तर प्रदेश के… pic.twitter.com/gB5LhaRkIv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024

Expressing his sentiments, he shared on social media in his another tweet, “I am delighted to announce that the Bharat Ratna will be conferred upon our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu.

As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu made extensive contributions to India in various capacities. His noteworthy service includes roles as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for several years. Recognized for his visionary leadership, he played a pivotal role in steering India towards economic advancement, establishing a robust foundation for the nation’s prosperity and growth.

Narasimha Rao Garu’s term as Prime Minister was characterized by significant initiatives that facilitated India’s integration into global markets, ushering in a new era of economic development. Additionally, his impact extended to India’s foreign policy, language, and education sectors, highlighting his diverse legacy as a leader who not only navigated India through crucial transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage.”

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

Former PM P. V. Narsimha Rao, who was the father of economic reforms, who liberalized the economy and mentored the economic reforms. It was his sagacious leadership which saw the move through. Credit must also go to his excellent relations with Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee in success of the move. Another aspect of his tenure as PM is that he provided able leadership to the country when world changed from the then bipolar to a unipolar world, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was a difficult phase in the life of the nation but Shri Narsimha Rao ably led the nation in that difficult phase.

Moreover, in his next tweet, he tweeted, “It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture. We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students.”

It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in… pic.twitter.com/OyxFxPeQjZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024

Earlier PM Modi announced that BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani will be honoured with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India.

I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a… pic.twitter.com/Ya78qjJbPK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2024

“LK Advani fought to free Indian democracy from hold of one party, one family”: PM Modi

February 3, 2024, 5:56 pm

Following the conferral of the Bharat Ratna on former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress party, commending the veteran BJP leader for his lifelong commitment to freeing India’s democracy from the dominance of one party and one family. Addressing a public meeting in Sambalpur, PM Modi praised Advani’s efforts, stating, “He continuously fought to free India’s democracy from the prison of one party and one family. He guided everyone and challenged ‘pariwarwaadi vichardhara’ (Dynastic ideology) and linked India’s democracy with the all-inclusive and nationalist ideology. Today we all are seeing the results of that. I would like to congratulate Advani Ji again and wish him a long life.”

This marks the seventh Bharat Ratna awarded by the Modi government since coming to power in 2014, with previous recipients including Karpoori Thakur, Madan Mohan Malviya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi announced that the veteran BJP leader LK Advani would be honored with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country. Advani expressed his gratitude and humility, stating, “With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the ‘Bharat Ratna’ that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability.”

Advani, at the age of 96, served in various prominent roles, including Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Information and Broadcasting Minister. He acknowledged his long association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, expressing gratitude to party workers, swayamsevaks, and others who supported him.

Opposition leaders, including AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and NCP’s Sharad Pawar, welcomed the decision, with Kejriwal extending his wishes for Advani’s health and longevity, and Pawar acknowledging Advani’s significant contribution to the country’s development. RJD leader Manoj Jha also expressed happiness over the announcement.

Bihar’s Two Time CM, Karpoori Thakur Ji Awarded Bharat Ratna

January 23, 2024, 9:52 pm

As a recognition of a remarkable leader, the government of India stepped forward to announce it is bestowing its highest civilian awards that is the Bharat Ratna Award on the late Shri Kapoori Thakur Ji, a stalwart of social justice and an inspiring figure in Indian politics.

Said that this prestigious award is a tribute to Shri Kapoori Thakur’s full dedication towards the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society. This award also honors his relentless fight for social justice. Informing that Kapoori Thakur was also known as ‘Jan Nayak’ (People’s leader).

Announcing the award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shared this news on Twitter (X), “I am delighted that the Government of India has decided to confer the Bharat Ratna on the beacon of social justice, the great Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Ji and that too at a time when we are marking his birth centenary. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his enduring efforts as a champion for the marginalized and a stalwart of equality and empowerment.

He added saying, “His unwavering commitment to uplift the downtrodden and his visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on India’s socio-political fabric. This award not only honours his remarkable contributions but also inspires us to continue his mission of creating a more just and equitable society.”

Who Was Kapoori Thakur?

A man known as People’s leader, (Jan Nayak) was born in Bihar’s Samastipur in 1924. He was a remarkable leader whose political journey was marked by his dedication. He served two terms as the 11th Chief Minister of Bihar from December 1970 to June 1971 and then followed by June 1977 to April 1979 in Bharatiya Kranti Dal party.

He played a key role in eradicating social discrimination and inequality in the society. His commitment to affirmative action gave representation and opportunities to the poor, oppressed, exploited and deprived sections of the country. His policies and reforms were pioneering in bringing about significant changes in the lives of many, especially in the fields of education, employment and farmer welfare.

Honoring Shri Thakur, the government recognizes his vital role that his struggle played as a symbol of democracy and social justice. The government also acknowledges his deep impact as a motivating figure for the marginalised sections of society. His life and work embody the spirit of the Indian Constitution, which advocates for equality, fraternity, and justice for all.

Inspiration For The Future Generation

This award is not only a recognition of Shri Thakur’s past experience but also serves a form of inspiration for the future generations. It is a reminder of the values that Shri Thakur stood for – simplicity, inclusiveness, and the tireless pursuit of social justice.

48 Others Receive Bharat Ratna:

Chakaravarti Rajagopalachari (statesman, writer, lawyer, and independence activist) – 1954
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (philosopher, politician and former President of India) – 1954
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (physicist)- 1954
Bhagwan Das (Independence activist, philosopher, and educationist)- 1955
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (Civil engineer, statesman, and Diwan of Mysore) – 1955
Jawaharlal Nehru (Independence activist, author and former Prime Minister of India)- 1955
Govind Ballabh Pant (Independence activist) – 1957
Dhondo Keshav Karve (Social reformer and educator)- 1958
Bidhan Chandra Roy (physician, political leader, philanthropist, educationist, and social worker)- 1961
Purushottam Das Tandon (Independence activist) – 1961
Rajendra Prasad (Independence activist, lawyer, statesman, scholar and former President of India)- 1962

12. Zakir Husain (Independence activist)- 1963

13. Pandurang Vaman Kane (Indologist and Sanskrit scholar) -1963

14. Lal Bahadur Shastri (Posthumous) (Independence activist and former Prime Minister of India) – 1966

15. Indira Gandhi (politician and former Prime Minister of India) -1971

16. Varahagiri Venkata Giri (Independence activist and former Prseident of India) -1975

17. Kumaraswamy Kamraj (Posthumous) (politician and former Tamil Nadu chief minister) 1976

18. Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu (Mother Teresa) (founder of the Missionaries of Charity) – 1980

19. Vinoba Bhave (Posthumous) (Independence activist, social reformer) -1983

20. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Independence activist) -1987

21. Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran (Posthumous) (actor turned politician) -1988

22. Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar (Posthumous) (Social reformer) -1990

23. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (anti-apartheid activist) – 1990

24. Rajiv Gandhi (Posthumous) (politician and former Prime Minister of India) -1991

25. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Posthumous) (Independence activist) – 1991

26. Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (Independence activist and Prime Minister of India) – 1991

27. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Posthumous) (Independence activist) -1992

28. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata (Industrialist) – 1992

29. Satyajit Ray (Filmmaker) – 1992

30. Gulzari Lal Nanda (Independence activist) – 1997

31. Aruna Asaf Ali (Posthumous) (Independence activist) – 1997

32. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Aerospace, defence scientist and former President of India) -1997

33. Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi (Carnatic classical vocalist) -1998

34. Chidambaram Subramaniam (Independence activist) – 1998

35. Jayaprakash Narayan (Posthumous) (Independence activist, social reformer) – 1999

36. Amartya Sen (economist) – 1999

37. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (Posthumous) (Independence activist) – 1999

38. Ravi Shankar (sitar player) – 1999

39. Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar (playback singer) – 2001

40. Ustad Bismillah Khan (Hindustani classical shehnai player) – 2001

41. Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi (Hindustani classical vocalist) – 2009

42. C. N. R. Rao (chemist and professor) – 2014

43. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (cricketer) – 2014

44. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (politician and former Prime Minister of India) 2015

45. Madan Mohan Malaviya (Posthumous) (Scholar and educational reformer) – 2015

46. Nanaji Deshmukh (Posthumous) (social activist) – 2019

47. Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika (Posthumous) (playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet, and film-maker) – 2019

48. Pranab Mukherjee (politician and former President of India) 2019

49. Karpoori Thakur (Posthumous) (politician and former Bihar chief minister) – 2024

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: President Murmu, PM Modi lead tributes along with NDA partners

August 16, 2023, 12:54 pm

On the fifth anniversary of Vajpayee’s passing, President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi led tributes, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present along with them, all left floral tributes at the memorial for the saffron veteran who was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian distinction.

Furthermore, the BJP invited members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to the ceremony to pay respects to the late prime minister at the Sadaiv Atal Memorial.

On the day of the former prime minister’s passing, Om Birla, the speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Harivansh, the deputy chairman of the Nitish Kumar-led Rajya Sabha, also presented floral tributes to him. Significantly, flowers were also left at the late leader’s burial by Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, who was Vajpayee’s foster daughter.

From May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004, Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as prime minister of India. In the administration of Prime Minister Moraji Desai, he also served as India’s Minister of External Affairs from 1977 to 1979. He died at the AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018.

Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian Award, says MoS Nityanand Rai

December 14, 2022, 7:44 am

Addressing the Lok Sabha Union Minister of State (MoS) Nityanand Rai said that the decisions regarding the award of Bharat Ratna are taken from time to time. On Tuesday Rai said no formal recommendations for this Award are necessary. Answering the query of BJP leader Bhagirath Choudhary Rai said, “Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian Award was instituted on January 2, 1954. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex are eligible for this Award. It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor.”