Former Chief Minister of Bihar Awarded the Bharat Ratna

The former Chief Minister of Bihar, the late Karpoori Thakur, was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, on January 23rd 2024. Karpoori Thakur served as the Chief Minister of Bihar twice from 1970-1971 and then from 1977-1979. Fondly named Jannayak, or people’s leader, Karpoori Thakur fought for the rights of the marginalised section of society. 

Karpoori Thakur was born on January 24th, 1924, in Pitaunjhia village of Bihar. He was a freedom fighter who played an active part in the Quit India Movement. Before becoming the Chief Minister of Bihar, Thakur served as the Education Minister of the state. As the Chief Minister, he advocated for the rights of workers and pushed for reservations for backward classes. He passed away on February 17th, 1988, during his second term as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to pay tribute to the great visionary. The current Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, welcomed the announcement and thanked the Prime Minister. 

Late Karpoori Thakur was awarded the Bharat Ratna a day before his 100th birth anniversary by the President of India, Draupadi Murmu. He became the 49th recipient of the Bharat Ratna. This prestigious award was last presented to the former President of India, Late Pranab Mukherjee, in 2019.