- By Vivek Raj
- Sat, 03 Feb 2024 02:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today via X (formerly Twitter) that veteran BJP leader LK Advani will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. Advani's parliamentary career spans nearly three decades, during which he served as Home Minister and later as the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1999 to 2004.
LK Advani, often referred to as the "charioteer," spearheaded the 'rath yatra' that commenced in Gujarat's Somnath on September 25, 1990, culminating in the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. He recently returned to Ayodhya on January 22 to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony, where PM Modi, once his aide, headlined the event.
Here's a timeline of key events in LK Advani's illustrious career and personal life:
November 8, 1927: Born in Karachi, Pakistan, to parents Kishenchand and Gyanidevi Advani.
1936-1942: Attended St Patrick's School, Karachi, excelling academically.
1942: Joined RSS as a swayamsevak.
1942: Enrolled at Dayaram Gidumal National College, Hyderabad, during the Quit India movement.
1944: Worked as a teacher in Model High School, Karachi.
September 1947: Migrated to Delhi during Partition.
1947-1951: Organised RSS activities in various regions of India.
1957: Moved to Delhi to assist Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
1958-1963: Served as Secretary of Delhi State Jana Sangh.
1960-1967: Joined Organiser, Jana Sangh's political journal, as assistant editor.
February 1965: Married Kamla Advani; they have two children, Pratibha and Jayant.
April 1970: Entered Rajya Sabha.
December 1972: Elected Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) president.
June 1975: Arrested during Emergency and imprisoned in Bangalore Central Jail.
March 1977 to July 1979: Held the position of Information and Broadcasting Minister.
1980-1986: Served as BJP general secretary.
May 1986: Became BJP president.
March 1988: Re-elected As BJP president.
1988: Appointed Home Minister in BJP government.
1990: Initiated Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya.
1997: Led Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra to celebrate India's Golden Jubilee of Independence.
October 1999-May 2004: Served as Home Minister.
June 2002-May 2004: Held the position of Deputy Prime Minister.