New Delhi, Feb. 10 -- Expressing happiness and satisfaction over Bharat Ratna announcement for PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh and Dr MS Swaminathan, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that the stature of country's highest civilian award has increased while noting that criterion for awarding top honours including Padma awards has changed with idealism, nationalism and welfare of farmers and poor being among notable factors.

In an interview with ANI, the Vice President said that Bharat Ratna for former Prime Minister Charan Singh is an hounour for every farmer. He said former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was a scholar-statesman and agricultural scientist Dr Swaminathan made immense contribution to India attaining self-suffi...