PM Modi hails Nanaji Deshmukh on Bharat Ratna honour, says 'his contribution to rural development showed the way for a new paradigm of empowerment'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a tweet about late Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh, or as fondly known as Nanaji Deshmukh being honored with the Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian award. 

Extending his praises for Nanaji, PM Modi took to Twitter to acknowledge the "stellar contribution" of the social activist in the field of rural development. 

PM Modi's tweet read:

"Nanaji Deshmukh's stellar contribution towards rural development showed the way for a new paradigm of empowering those living in our villages. 

He personifies humility, compassion, and service to the downtrodden. He is a Bharat Ratna in the truest sense!"

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Nanaji has contributed in the fields of education, health, and rural self-reliance and has been a recipient of Padma Vibhushan. 

A former RSS Pracharak, he studied at the Birla school (now known as BITS Pilani) drew his inspiration from freedom fighter Lok Manya Tilak that encouraged him into social service and activism. 

Alongside social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, former President Pranab Mukherjee and musician-singer-poet Dr. Bhupen Hazarika have had the Bharat Ratna conferred upon them, both posthumously. 

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The Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian honour - is conferred on people in recognition of their exceptional service, contribution, performance of the highest order without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex. Till December 2011, the award was limited to achievements in the fields of arts, literature, science, and public services, but the criteria has since been expanded to include any field of human endeavour. Recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President, with a maximum of three nominees being awarded per year