PM Modi, Leaders Pay Tribute To Former PM PV Narasimha Rao On Birth Anniversary

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary, highlighting his vital role in shaping India’s development during a pivotal time.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Remembering Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu on his birth anniversary. India is grateful to him for his effective leadership during a crucial phase of our development trajectory. His intellect, wisdom and scholarly nature are also widely admired.”

Nationwide tributes pour in

Leaders across the political spectrum joined PM Modi in remembering Rao’s contributions.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called him ‘a towering statesman and scholar par excellence’, crediting Rao’s tenure for initiating far-reaching economic progress and national development.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also praised Rao’s legacy, saying, “We pay our tributes to Former Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, on his birth anniversary. His government’s far-reaching economic liberalisation policies were instrumental in catalysing an era of unprecedented national growth.”

Kharge added that Rao’s reforms uplifted the middle class and laid the groundwork for a more resilient India. He also acknowledged Rao’s influence on India’s nuclear programme and foreign policy, especially the ‘Look East’ initiative.

Congress and BJP leaders hail Rao’s leadership

The Congress Party echoed Kharge’s sentiments, describing Rao as ‘a visionary leader whose 1991 economic reforms set India on the path of progress, liberalisation, and self-reliance’.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan paid his respects, referring to Rao as ‘Bharat Ratna’ and a key figure in India’s economic revival.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla credited Rao with ‘opening the doors of prosperity through liberalisation’.

Rao’s journey and legacy

Born on June 28, 1921, in Laknepalli village in present-day Telangana, Narasimha Rao hailed from a Telugu Niyogi Brahmin family.

A freedom fighter, he joined politics after Independence and rose through the ranks of the Indian National Congress.

He became India’s ninth Prime Minister in 1991 and served until 1996.

Notably, Rao was the first South Indian and only the second non-Hindi-speaking leader to hold the post.

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