RNS: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Nation’s Highest Civilian Award, Bharat Ratna, upon former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani today.
The award was presented to Advani at his residence in New Delhi, with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Advani’s family members in attendance.
In a social media post, President Murmu praised Advani, stating that the stalwart of Indian politics has dedicated over seven decades to serving the nation with unwavering dedication and extraordinary skill.
Advani, born in Karachi in 1927 and arriving in India in 1947 amidst the partition, was lauded by Murmu for his vision of cultural nationalism, which reshaped the socio-political landscape across the country. She highlighted his pivotal role in safeguarding Indian democracy during the Emergency.
As a parliamentarian, Advani’s commitment to dialogue enriched parliamentary traditions, noted the President. She also commended his tenure as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, highlighting his prioritization of national interests, which garnered him respect across party lines.
President emphasized Advani’s efforts towards the cultural revival of India, culminating in the reconstruction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2024.
President Murmu hailed Advani as one of the few leaders post-independence who successfully reshaped national priorities and drove the country towards development. She concluded that Advani’s achievements exemplify India’s innate talent and inclusive traditions.
