President Honors Lal Krishna Advani with Bharat Ratna at His Residence

New Delhi, March 31 - President Draupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Bharat Ratna award upon senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani at his residence on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present at the ceremony.

The announcement was made via social media by the President's Office. President Murmu visited Advani at his residence to bestow the Bharat Ratna upon him. The event was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and members of Advani's family.

The day before, on Saturday, the President posthumously honored two former Prime Ministers, Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao, as well as former Bihar Chief Minister Karpuri Thakur and scientist MS Swaminathan with the Bharat Ratna at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were received by the relatives of these eminent personalities.

Advani becomes the third person associated with the BJP and Sangh Parivar to receive this honor, following former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nanaji Deshmukh. Advani's service to the nation spans over seven decades, characterized by unwavering dedication and extraordinary skill. Born in Karachi in 1927, Advani came to India in 1947 amidst the partition. His vision of cultural nationalism led him to work tirelessly across the country, bringing about significant changes in the socio-political landscape.

As a parliamentarian, Advani's commitment to dialogue enriched parliamentary traditions. As Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, he consistently prioritized national interests, earning him respect and praise from people across party lines. His persistent efforts for the cultural revival of India culminated in the reconstruction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in 2024. He stands out as one of the few political leaders post-independence who successfully reshaped national priorities and steered the country towards development. Advani's achievements epitomize India's innate talent and inclusive traditions.