Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao, who was India's Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared the news with the world. Only a few days ago, LK Advani was given the honour.
The PM described PV as a "distinguished scholar and statesman" who served India "extensively in various capacities". Modi also mentioned that PV was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh once. Besides, he served India as a Union Minister. His "visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country's prosperity and growth", Modi wrote.
Many Netizens have welcomed the news. PV was the real architect of economic reforms, not Manmohan Singh. "Those who don't appreciate his contribution to India - please know that he is the difference between India being India and not a larger Zimbabwe," opined a Twitter user named Sandeep Pravin Parekh. "He steered India out of the economic trouble when we were at the crossroads of either choosing the path of ascendancy or getting stuck in perpetual economic problems. Considering all the constraints, he had done a terrific job," wrote Satish Verma.
The announcement by the NDA government is expected to result in political critiques. The Congress party, led by Sonia Gandhi, happened to ignore PVNR's mortal remains in 2004. PVNR was snubbed by the party only because he was not a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
