"Contribution to India's progress will always be remembered": Cong Prez Mallikarjun Kharge pays tribute to PV Narasimha Rao
New Delhi, June 28
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary, recalling his government's economic reforms, contributions to India's nuclear programme, and foreign policy initiatives.
In a post on X, Kharge said Rao's government's economic liberalisation accelerated growth, expanded opportunities for the middle class, and placed the country on a path of long-term development.
"Our tributes to Former Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao, on his birth anniversary," Kharge said.
He said Rao's tenure was also marked by significant strides in India's nuclear programme and farsighted diplomatic initiatives, including the landmark "Look East" policy.
"His government's path-breaking economic liberalisation accelerated growth, expanded opportunities for the middle class, and set the country on a trajectory of long-term development," Kharge said.
"His tenure was also defined by significant strides in India's nuclear programme and farsighted diplomatic initiatives, including the landmark 'Look East' policy," he added.
Kharge further said that Rao's contribution to India's progress and nation-building would always be remembered.
"His contribution to India's progress and nation-building will always be remembered," he said.
Rao (1921-2004) was India's 9th Prime Minister, serving from 1991 to 1996. A lawyer and politician, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. He introduced landmark economic liberalisation policies, dismantling the License Raj and opening India to global trade and investment.
His tenure saw efforts to boost literacy and healthcare, with a focus on women's empowerment. Rao's leadership navigated India through a challenging period, leaving a lasting impact on the country's development trajectory. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024 for his contributions.
Rao launched India's 'Look East' policy in 1991-92, a significant strategic shift focusing on deeper economic, cultural, and strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) to boost trade, development, and counterbalance China's growing influence, setting the stage for the more action-oriented 'Act East Policy' later.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister who announced the reforms, but it was Narasimha Rao who had the political courage to push them through despite opposition from within his own party. The 'Look East' policy was visionary too. We need more such leaders who think long-term, not just about the next election.
Interesting to read about Rao's nuclear program contributions too. As an outsider, I always associated India's nuclear advances more with Vajpayee's 1998 tests, but clearly the groundwork was laid earlier. The 'Look East' policy also makes a lot of strategic sense given China's growing assertiveness.
One criticism I have is that while Rao liberalised the economy, the benefits didn't reach everyone equally. The middle class gained, but rural areas and farmers were left behind. Still, he took bold steps when India was at a breaking point. Deserving of the Bharat Ratna, though it came very late.
My parents always talk about how life changed after 1991 - suddenly we could buy imported goods, there were more job opportunities, and the whole mindset shifted. Rao and Singh together changed India's destiny. It's nice to see Congress remembering him now, but they should have done this earlier, not just after the Bharat Ratna. 🤔
From a Western perspective, Rao's reforms made India a much more attractive destination for foreign investment. The IT outsourcing boom that transformed Bangalore and Hyderabad wouldn't have happened without his policies. It's remarkable how much one prime minister can change a country's trajectory.
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