Bhubaneswar, Jan 23: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday expressed his happiness over the government's decision to confer the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, posthumously to the pioneer of social justice and former Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur.

The Union Minister also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to honor such a pioneer of equality and social harmony with the Bharat Ratna.

"The decision to honour the country's highest civilian award- 'Bharat Ratna' to 'Jan Nayak' Karpoori Thakur, a true pioneer of social justice, is heartening. Karpoori Thakur was the voice of the poor, deprived, exploited and backward people. As simple and sober as he was in his life, he was equally adamant about his principles. His life inspires us to continue working for the interests of the deprived sections of the society," Pradhan posted on X, formerly known as twitter.

"I congratulate the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to honour such a pioneer of equality and social harmony with Bharat Ratna. This is a decision to be proud of for the entire country including Bihar. Bharat Ratna is a fitting honor for Karpoori Thakur, who has left an indelible mark in Indian politics with his highest ideals and value-based public life," he added.

सामाजिक न्याय के सच्चे पुरोधा जननायक कर्पूरी ठाकुर जी को देश का सर्वोच्च सम्मान ‘भारत रत्न’ देने का निर्णय हर्षित करने वाला है। गरीब, वंचित, शोषित और पिछड़ों की मुखर आवाज थे कर्पूरी ठाकुर। अपने जीवन में वे जितने सरल और सहज थे, अपने सिद्धांतों को लेकर उतने ही अडिग भी थे। समाज के… pic.twitter.com/0TzvRg8j7U
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 23, 2024

Earlier, a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat said, “The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur (posthumously).”

Also Read: Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur To Be Awarded Bharat Ratna Posthumously

The announcement to honour Karpoori Thakur with India's highest civilian award comes a day before his 100th birth anniversary. January 24 is the birth anniversary of late Karpoori Thakur. He was a prominent socialist leader.

Karpoori Thakur served two terms as the Chief Minister of Bihar, first from December 1970 to June 1971, and then from June 1977 to April 1979. He was popularly known as 'Jan Nayak'.

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