The sudden passing of veteran media personality and chairman of Ramoji Group, C. Ramoji Rao, has left the Indian film industry in a state of shock. Acclaimed filmmakers like S.S. Rajamouli and actors like Rajinikanth and Jr NTR expressed their deep sadness at the news and paid tribute to Ramoji Rao's unparalleled contributions to journalism and cinema. His passing is an irreplaceable loss for the entertainment world, and many are demanding that he be honored with a Bharat Ratna for his 50 years of hard work and innovation.
The passing of media mogul Ramoji Rao has left a void in the film, sports, and political industries. Among the flood of tributes, filmmaker SS Rajamouli stands out with his demand for the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, to be conferred upon Rao for his 50 years of resilience, hard work, and innovation. Rajamouli also visited Rao's residence to pay his last respects and called him a role model, while other members of the entertainment industry, such as director Srinu Vaitla, expressed their grief over the loss of this great man.
The 96-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, was conferred with the Bharat Ratna award on Easter Sunday, the day the BJP was formed in 1980. This holds special significance as the Jan Sangh, which merged with the Janata Party in 1976, separated and rechristened itself as the Bharatiya Janata Party on the same day, marking a new chapter in Indian politics. Advani's unique journey, breaking stereotypes and challenging the existing political and intellectual system, is a story that has left a lasting impact on Indian politics.
After the President of India's official X account shared a photo of BJP leaders LK Advani and PM Modi sitting down while President Droupadi Murmu stands, many social media users claimed that this was a sign of disrespect towards the President. However, a closer look at other available visuals and context shows that this was not the case. In fact, President Murmu was seen standing to confer the Bharat Ratna to Advani and was later seated during the ceremony.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Bharat Ratna award to veteran politician LK Advani at his residence, in the presence of high-level dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Home Minister Amit Shah. Known for his cultural nationalist beliefs and tireless efforts in shaping the socio-political landscape of India, Advani's seven-decade long dedication to the nation was recognized at the ceremony. The post on X by the Rashtrapati Bhavan also highlighted Advani's role in safeguarding India's democracy during the Emergency.
President Droupadi Murmu bestowed the prestigious Bharat Ratna award on former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, and former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur. The ceremony, attended by top dignitaries including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, honored these leaders for their significant contributions to India's economy, rural development, and freedom struggle. This year, the government announced a total of five Bharat Ratna awards, including one for BJP stalwart L K Advani.
Prakash Ambedkar, the president of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, expresses doubt about his party's inclusion in the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, despite the latter's confidence in his support for the Lok Sabha election. Ambedkar insists on the inclusion of OBC and minority candidates in the coalition's ticket distribution and urges for an assurance that MVA will not ally with BJP. As the alliance continues to negotiate, Ambedkar's video message discouraging VBA workers from attending MVA meetings goes viral, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two parties.
The family members of former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur expressed their joy and gratitude as their late father, grandfather and great grandfather was honored with the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, the country's highest civilian award. They thanked Prime Minister Modi for bestowing this recognition upon Thakur, who was known for his contributions to Indian politics and society. The award will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, in the presence of the Thakur family and other dignitaries.
The prestigious Bharat Ratna award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu to four well-deserving recipients, including former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh. The ceremony, held at the historic Durbar Hall in Rashtrapati Bhawan, also honoured agronomist MS Swaminathan. The posthumous recognition of these iconic leaders is a testament to their immense contributions to the nation.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has accused the BJP government of overlooking Hindutva stalwarts Veer Savarkar and Bal Thackeray for the prestigious Bharat Ratna awards. Raut's criticism comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of this year's recipients, which excluded these recognizable figures. Raut's comments have sparked a political controversy, with many questioning the government's selection process and potential political motivations behind it.