New Delhi, Feb. 10 -- The Narendra Modi government on Friday announced Bharat Ratna for former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao posthumously. The honour is seen as a befitting tribute by the nation to the first prime minister of Congress outside the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Born on June 28, 1921, in Vangara, Andhra Pradesh, Rao's tenure witnessed several historic events, including the epoch-making 1991 economic reforms, the Babri Masjid demolition, and the 1993 Latur earthquake.

Often called the first BJP prime minister of India (despite being a Congressman) for allegedly not acting to prevent the demolition of the Babri Masjid, PV Narasimha served as the 9th prime minister of India from 1991 to 1996.

He actively participated in India's fre...