The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Bharat Ratna on Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee this evening (March 27, 2015) in New Delhi. In a special gesture, the President conferred the Award in a simple ceremony held at the residence of Shri Vajpayee.
Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India; Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi; former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam; former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh; Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh; senior members of the Cabinet; several Chief Ministers; leaders of political parties; members of Shri Vajpayee’s family and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Historic Day for India, says PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has said today is a historic day for crores of Indians like him, when former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being awarded the Bharat Ratna.
“मेरे जैसे करोड़ों देशवासियों के लिए आज का दिन ऐतिहासिक है, जब अटल जी को भारत रत्न दिया जा रहा है।
Departing from convention, Rashtrapatiji is going to Atalji`s residence to confer him the Bharat Ratna. This gesture reflects grace and dignity,” the Prime Minister said.