New Delhi: In a momentous announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh will be posthumously awarded the prestigious ‘Bharat Ratna,’ India’s highest civilian honour. Alongside Singh, ex-PM PV Narasimha Rao and eminent agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan will also be bestowed with this coveted recognition.
“We are fortunate to see former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh being conferred with the Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his contribution to the country. He dedicated his entire life for the rights of farmers and their welfare,” expressed PM Modi in a social media post.
Chaudhary Charan Singh, born in 1902 into a middle-class farmer family in Meerut, made indelible contributions to Indian politics and the welfare of farmers. An alumnus of Agra University, Singh, trained in law, began his political journey with the Congress. Elected to the Uttar Pradesh assembly multiple times, he held pivotal roles in various capacities.
Appointed as a parliamentary secretary in Govind Ballabh Pant’s government in 1946, Singh served in different departments before becoming a cabinet minister for justice and information in 1951. His political trajectory saw him leave the Congress in 1967, subsequently becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh twice.
In a significant turn of events in 1979, Singh assumed the position of Prime Minister after the Jana Sangh withdrew support from the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government. However, his tenure was short-lived as Indira Gandhi withdrew support, leading to his resignation in 1980.
PM Modi hailed Chaudhary Charan Singh’s dedication to nation-building, his fight against the Emergency, and his unwavering commitment to farmers and democracy. The Bharat Ratna acknowledges the profound impact of Singh’s contributions on the country’s socio-political landscape, marking a fitting tribute to a stalwart in Indian politics.
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