New Delhi: Stalwart of Indian politics and Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani will be conferred with the prestigious Bharat Ratna award acknowledging his monumental contributions to India’s development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday.
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, PM Modi expressed his privilege of interacting with and learning from Advani. He described the moment as “very emotional” and highlighted Advani’s decades-long service marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency, integrity, and exemplary political ethics. Advani’s efforts towards national unity and cultural resurgence were praised as unparalleled.
Referring to Advani as “one of the most respected statesmen of our times,” PM Modi recalled his journey from grassroots work to serving as Deputy Prime Minister. Advani’s notable roles included Deputy Prime Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Leader of Opposition, and BJP President. His contributions as Home Minister and I&B Minister were acknowledged, along with his exemplary parliamentary interventions.
The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, is bestowed in recognition of “exceptional service/performance of the highest order.” Instituted in 1954, past recipients include Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Lata Mangeshkar, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, APJ Abdul Kalam among others.