Nitish Kumar writes to Modi, urges him to confer Bharat Ratna for Lohia

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has to write to PM Narendra Modi, urging him to confer posthumously Bharat Ratna award to veteran socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.

In his written letter, Nitish gave a reasonable explanation as to why Lohia deserves to be felicitated with the highest civilian award.

He also requested the Modi government to rename Goa's Panjim airport under Lohia's name as the freedom fighter played an important role in the state's independence from the Portuguese.

Conferring the highest civilian award of the country on Lohia and Thakur would increase the prestige of the award, Nitish had said.

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia's birthday falls on October 12, and the Bihar CM has asked PM Modi to felicitate him on this very day. Nitish also mentioned about the efforts Lohia made towards cleanliness and sanitation in rural India.