Former PMs Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh and M S Swaminathan to get Bharat Ratna

New Delhi/ Hyderabad: Former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh as well as agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday.

The government had earlier announced the country's highest civilian honour for L K Advani and Karpoori Thakur.

"Narasimha Rao steered India through critical transformations and also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage," Modi said on X.

Rao's visionary leadership, Modi said, was instrumental in making India economically advanced and laid a solid foundation for its prosperity, growth.

"Bharat Ratna to Charan Singh dedicated to his incomparable contribution to country," the prime minister said.

"Swaminathan made monumental contributions to country in agriculture and farmers’ welfare," Modi said.

He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture and made outstanding efforts in modernising it, the prime minister said.

Vani Devi thanks PM Modi

Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao's daughter and BRS MLC Vani Devi appreciated the gesture of naming her father for the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award, and praised PM Narendra Modi for the decision.

Narasimha Rao, who became prime minister when the country was facing tough times, implemented reforms that were recognised by the whole world, she said. "Beyond parties, recognising PV and conferring Bharat Ratna shows the good values, manners of our Prime Minister (Modi)," Vani Devi said.

Narasimha Rao -- who was a prime minister from the Congress party -- initiated reforms and found permanent solutions to problems in sectors as varied as economy and external affairs, she said.

"Though there is a slight delay, it's ok. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour. Telangana people are very happy over Bharat Ratna being conferred upon Narasimha Rao. The family members are overwhelmed. We are very excited," she said.

She also expressed appreciation for the fact that the previous government headed by former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had celebrated the centenary of Narasimha Rao on a grand scale.

Narasimha Rao was the first leader from the southern states to become Prime Minister, she recalled.

Sonia Gandhi 'weclome's' the announcement

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday said she "welcomes" the announcement of giving Bharat Ratna to former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao.

Asked about the Bharat Ratna announcements, specifically for Rao, Sonia Gandhi in a short reply said, "I welcome them... why not".

The chief minister of Telangana Revanth Reddy in a tweet said, "As children of Telangana, our hearts are filled with joy. It is our pride that the son of Telangana has received Bharat Ratna."

(Inputs from PTI)