The Maharashtra Cabinet has passed a proposal, requesting the Union government to award India's highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna, to late industrialist Ratan Tata. The Cabinet ministers paid tribute to Tata, highlighting his role as a social worker, visionary, and patriotic leader. His contributions to both the industrial sector and social development have been recognized, with him receiving the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
In anticipation of the Janata Dal-United's executive committee meeting, Chotu Singh, a party leader, gained attention by displaying posters around Patna calling for the prestigious Bharat Ratna award to be bestowed upon Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Although these posters may have been Chotu Singh's own initiative, they also serve to garner support for Kumar and showcase his accomplishments, including his long leadership in Bihar and pivotal roles in implementing reforms and projects. With the election looming, these posters may serve as a reminder for the voters of the CM's contributions to the state's development, such as implementing 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and banning alcohol.
In a shocking turn of events, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics due to technical grounds. Amidst this controversy, Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee has called for government and opposition consensus to award Phogat the Bharat Ratna or a President-nominated Rajya Sabha seat, acknowledging her contributions to the sport. The Trinamool Congress also expressed its support for opposition MPs who are protesting for justice for Phogat's disqualification.
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.