"Attempt to keep such gem out in open is underway": Meenakashi Lekhi on Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur

New Delhi [India], January 24 : Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi on Tuesday praised the Centre for announcing Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, for former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and said that an attempt to keep every such gem out in the open is underway.
Lekhi also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the whole team for selecting Karpoori Thakur for the Bharat Ratna.
"An attempt to keep every such gem out in the open is underway. Karpoori Thakur worked in social service, worked for those deprived in society and struggled during the emergency. I thank PM Modi and the whole team that made this selection," the Union Minister told ANI.
Earlier today, the government announced the posthumous award of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, to Karpoori Thakur. Following the announcement, family members of the late Bihar CM exchanged sweets in recognition of the forthcoming Bharat Ratna honour.
Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras said that the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "historic."
"PM Narendra Modi has made a historic decision. The people of Bihar and the entire country are thankful to him for this decision...The PM made a historic decision. He will now be considered a messiah of the backward and Dalits," Paras said.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Thakur was such an honest leader that it is discussed even today.
"He connected the poor, the deprived and the backward to the mainstream...I express gratitude to the Prime Minister for conferring the Bharat Ratna on him. This is an honour of the poor and their voice, of the backwards...Several of the previous governments used to think about only the people around them. Some of them thought only about their own families. Narendra Modi Government thinks about the entire country," Prasad said.
He further said that awarding Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna is an honour of the poor, the backward of the country.
"For this much-awaited decision, I express my gratitude. Awarding Karpoori Thakur with Bharat Ratna is an honour of the poor, the backward of the country," he said.
Former Bihar CM was born on January 24, 1924, and passed away on February 17, 1988.
Thakur was born in one of the most backward sections of society - the Nai Samaj. He was a remarkable leader whose political journey was marked by his unwavering commitment to the marginalised sections of society.
He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar and was a key figure in the struggle against social discrimination and inequality. His commitment to affirmative action gave representation and opportunities to the poor, oppressed, exploited and deprived sections of the country.
Embarking on his political career with the Praja Socialist Party, he later joined forces with the Janata Party during his initial tenure as the chief minister of Bihar from 1977 to 1979. Over time, he established connections with the Janata Dal, marking a significant shift in his political affiliation.