Bharat Ratna To PV Narasimha Rao: Life Of Ex-PM Known For Pushing India Towards Modern Economic Prosperity

The country's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna will be conferred to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

Source : Getty

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, would be posthumously conferred upon former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. Recognised as a Congress stalwart, Rao is celebrated for his pivotal role in introducing economic reforms that transformed India's economic landscape and set the stage for its remarkable recovery. 

PM Modi took to X to share the news, expressing his delight and highlighting Rao's extensive service to the nation in various capacities.

PM Modi wrote: "Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna." 

He commended Narsimha Rao's distinguished tenure as a scholar and statesman, emphasizing his contributions as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and longstanding member of the Indian Parliament and Legislative Assembly. 

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

Alongside Narasimha Rao, the Bharat Ratna award has also been announced for Dr MS Swaminathan and Chaudhary Charan Singh, recognizing their significant contributions to the nation.

Following the announcement, Surabhi Vani Devi, Narasimha Rao's daughter, expressed gratitude towards PM Modi, stating, "It should have been done earlier. His contribution to the nation needs to be honoured."

Know About PV Narasimha Rao

Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao, born on 28 June 1921 and passed away on 23 December 2004, was a prominent lawyer and a towering figure in the Congress party in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Serving as India's ninth Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, Rao's leadership during a period of economic crisis was instrumental in implementing significant reforms, including globalization, liberalization, and privatization.

Hailing from a Telugu Niyogi Brahmin family in Telangana, Rao actively participated in India's freedom struggle and later pursued a career in law. He entered politics full-time post-independence and held various ministerial positions in both state and federal administrations. Renowned for his support of Indira Gandhi during the Congress split in 1969, Rao emerged as a prominent leader within the party.

Despite nearly retiring in 1991, Rao returned to active politics following the assassination of Congress President and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. As Prime Minister, he defied conventions by appointing Dr. Manmohan Singh, an economist, as his Finance Minister, leading to the implementation of significant economic reforms that reshaped India's economic trajectory.

Rao's tenure as Prime Minister marked a departure from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty's leadership. His contributions continue to be acknowledged as instrumental in India's journey towards economic liberalization and global integration.