Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Murli Manohar Joshi met his senior colleague Lal Krishna Advani at his residence in Delhi on Saturday evening to congratulate the latter for being conferred with Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. Murli Manohar Joshi said it is his great fortune that he got to work with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Nanaji Deshmukh and LK Advani.
Deeply happy to see Lal Krishna Advani ji honoured with Bharat Ratna. I congratulate him. It is my good fortune that I got the opportunity to work with Bharat Ratna Atal Ji, Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh and Bharat Ratna Advani Ji for more than 60 years,” Murli Manohar Joshi, 90, said.
BJP stalwart leader Lal Krishna Advani said on Saturday that receiving Bharat Ratna is “not only an honour for me as a person but also for ideals and principles that I strove to serve.”
Advani Statement
In a statement, the BJP stalwart said he accepts the ‘Bharat Ratna’ with utmost humility. “With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the ‘Bharat Ratna’ that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I strove to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability,” Advani said in the statement.
The BJP leader also expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing him with Bharat Ratna.
Since joining the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), I sought reward only in dedicated and selfless service of my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me,” he was saying.
His statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour.
PM Modi Announcement
Making an announcement in a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour.” He said Advani is “one of the most respected statesmen of our times” and his contribution to the development of India is monumental.
“His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights,” the Prime Minister said.
While speaking in Odisha on Saturday, PM Modi said, “Advani ji is a symbol of the fact that the nation never forgets those who spend their lives in the service of the nation…” He added, “Bharat Ratna to LK Advani is honour to ideology of nation first.”
Union ministers, top BJP leaders and the party’s allies said the award to Advani is “well deserved” and serves as a poignant acknowledgement of a “national hero’s life” devoted to the service of the nation.
PM Modi, however, took a dig at the Congress and said Advani persistently fought all his life to free the democracy of India from the hold of one party and one family.
This is the seventh Bharat Ratna awarded by the Modi government, since assuming power in 2014. The list also includes Karpoori Thakur, Madan Mohan Malviya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, and Nanaji Deshmukh.
BJP national president JP Nadda extended greetings to Advani and thanked Modi for the announcement.
“Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modiji announced the conferring of the ‘Bharat Ratna’ on our senior and veteran leader, Lal Krishna Advaniji. The announcement instils a sense of delight in us”.
Who is given Bharat Ratna and why?
‘Bharat Ratna’ is the highest civilian honor awarded by the Government of India for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field. It is a prestigious award that recognizes the contribution of individuals who have made India proud with their achievements.
The announcement of Bharat Ratna to respected LK Advani ji, the senior most leader of the country and our guide, is very pleasant and enjoyable. After independence, Advani ji has played an important role in the reconstruction of the country. Advani ji is a living example of purity in politics. I thank the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for declaring Advani ji as ‘Bharat Ratna’ and pray for the health and longevity of Advani ji.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister & Senior BJP Leader
What is its history?
Bharat Ratna was established on 2 January 1954 by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. This proposal was first passed in the cabinet of PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
The award consists of a bronze medallion in the shape of a Peepal leaf, with an image of the Sun and the words “Bharat Ratna” in Devanagari script on the obverse. The state emblem of India and the motto “Satyamev Jayate” are also written on that.
I am very happy to hear the news of Bharat Ratna being awarded to our senior party leader and our source of inspiration, respected LK Advani. Advani ji is a living example of purity and honesty and his important contribution has been in spreading the country’s politics, national policy and ideology of the party. The spark of cultural nationalism that he ignited brought about a huge change in the politics of India.
Many congratulations on the announcement of respected Advani ji being honored with Bharat Ratna and my humble regards and gratitude and greetings to respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji!
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ex Law Minister Senior BJP Leader
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