India witnessed a historic occasion as the prestigious Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honor, was bestowed upon five individuals for the first time in history. Indian government never announced five Bharat Ratna awards till now.
The president of Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD), Upendra Kushwaha, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the government's decision to bestow the 'Bharat Ratna' on former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur posthumously.