Bharat Ratna Advani: PM says he connected democracy with nationalist ideologies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, and described it as a ‘very emotional moment for me’.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, and described it as a ‘very emotional moment for me’.
Modi was effusive in his praise of the contribution of the BJP's longest-serving president to public life. First in his posts on X and then at a public meeting in Odisha, Modi hailed Avani as one of the most respected statesmen who challenged dynasty politics and connected India's democracy to "all-inclusive and nationalist ideologies".
Advani (96) greeted journalists at his home from a distance and later said in a statement that the award is not only an honour for him as a person but also for the ideals and principles that he strove to serve throughout life to the best of his ability.
He expressed happiness and thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Modi for the award.Advani
Ever since he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as its volunteer at the age of 14 years, he has sought reward in only one thing, "in dedicated and selfless service of my beloved country in whatever task life assigned to me", he said.
He said what has inspired his life is the motto: "This life is not mine. My life is for my nation." BJP leaders, including Union ministers and chief ministers, and allies lauded Advani who led his party's full-throttle embrace of the movement to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya and spearheaded the 'Rath Yatra' which transformed politics, especially in north India, forever and fuelled the BJP's rise.
Prime Minister Modi on Saturday said Advani challenged dynasty politics and connected India's democracy to all-inclusive and nationalist ideologies.
Addressing a rally in Odisha's Sambalpur, Modi said the Bharat Ratna to Advani, the former deputy PM, is an honour to the ideology of "nation first".
"Advani continuously fought to get democracy out of one party's grasp and guided everyone.
He challenged dynasty politics and connected India's democracy to all-inclusive and nationalist ideologies," he said.
Modi had earlier said on X, "One of the most respected statesmen of our times, 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," Modi said.
His decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics, the Prime Minister said. Advani has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence, he said.
