- Of late, the central government under the aegis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has awarded the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, to some of the biggest stalwarts of the country who have helped shape the nation’s directions in more than one way. As announced by the Modi government, the first to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna was the late CM of Bihar Karpoori Thakur, a renowned socialist leader. Right after this announcement came the news about awarding the Bharat Ratna to ex-PMs late Choudhary Charan Singh and late PV Narasimha Rao alongside the late MS Swaminathan, a much-loved agriculture reformist. Of course, these awards reflect political expediency too. No denying this fact, you see.
PC: NDTV
- We all know the mother of all elections – the Lok Sabha polls – is just a couple of months away. All the political parties are gearing up for the polls with renewed vigor, hope, and anticipation to emerge victorious. The smart moves, intelligent maneuvers, shrewd outwitting, and permutations/combinations usually associated with the political parties are already on display. The BJP has already taken a decisive lead in not only shoring up its vast Hindutva base by ensuring the promise of building a temple for Lord Ram but also succeeded in spreading a more favorable atmosphere around with the recent grand consecration of Lord Ram at Ayodhya. The conferring of Bharat Ratna is also one such decisive move indeed.
- Of all the four awarded with the Bharat Ratna, the one awarded to the true architect of the Indian economy’s revival in the form of globalization and liberalization – PV Narasimha Rao – is not only the most deserving but also corrects the neglect accorded to the deft political leader who completed the tenure despite heading a minority government. We know of how the country was at a crossroads during the early 1990s when the economy was struggling to stay afloat. Despite heading a minority government at that time, PV Narasimha Rao ensured his then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh was given a free hand to initiate fiscal measures that would lay the foundation for the country to stay the course on the right growth path.
PC: The Indian Express
- Unfortunately, the Congress leadership at that time failed to not only recognize the immense contribution of Rao to the party as well as the nation but also treated the intellectually blessed leader most inappropriately. Not only was Rao sidelined after his stint as the PM but was condemned to remain on the sidelines subsequently. Recollect how Rao was treated by Congress even in his death when the mortal remains of the leader were not allowed to be kept at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The BJP has scored a brownie point here by awarding Bharat Ratna to one of the most underrated PMs of the nation. If India is counted among the most promising nations, a huge credit should also go to the late Rao Garu.
