On January 25, The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced that the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind has granted the Bharat Ratna Award to Nana Deshmukh and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and the former President Pranab Mukherjee. On being honoured with Bharat Ratna, Pranab Mukherjee was congratulated by PM Narendra Modi. Mukherjee was President between 2012 to 2017 and left his strong marks on the growth and development of the nation. He did a lot of selfless work, which made PM Modi express delights at the former president.

Today, three of the famous personalities, Nanaji Deshmukh who was the leader Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Bhupen Hazarika who was a singer and the former president Pranab Mukherjee were granted the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, of the country.

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi also took it to Instagram and wrote, “Pranab da is an outstanding statesman of our times. He has served the nation selflessly and tirelessly for decades, leaving a strong imprint on the nation’s growth trajectory. His wisdom and intellect have few parallels. Delighted that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna.” The PM said the songs and music of Bhupen Hazarika are admired by people across generations.

Pranab Da is an outstanding statesman of our times.

He has served the nation selflessly and tirelessly for decades, leaving a strong imprint on the nation’s growth trajectory.

His wisdom and intellect have few parallels. Delighted that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

PM Modi tweeted, “From them radiates the message of justice, harmony, and brotherhood. He popularised India’s musical traditions globally. Happy that the Bharat Ratna has been conferred on Bhupen da.”

Modi also said that the songs and the music of Bhupen Hazarika are still admired all across the country. He further said that Nanaji Deshmukh has contributed a lot towards the rural development and also made out a way to empower the village lives.

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!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

“He personifies humility, compassion, and service to the downtrodden. He is a Bharat Ratna in the truest sense,” the PM said.

The songs and music of Shri Bhupen Hazarika are admired by people across generations. From them radiates the message of justice, harmony and brotherhood.

He popularised India’s musical traditions globally.

Happy that the Bharat Ratna has been conferred on Bhupen Da.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

Apart from these, there were personalities who were awarded Padma Shri on the eve of Republic Day. Gautam Gambhir (Former batsman), Sunil Chhetri ( Football), Bajrang Punia (Wrestling), Sharath Kamal ( Table Tenis), Harika Dronawalli ( Chess), Bombayla Devi ( archery), Prashanti Singh ( basketball) and Ajay Thakur (Kabaddi) were among the ones who were conferred with Padma Shri wheres Bachendri Pal was honored with Padma Bhushan award for Mountaineering.

Several prominent personalities from the film and entertainmemt industry were also conferred with Padma Awards which includes Kader Khane, Viswanathan, Manoj Bajpayee, and Prabhu Deva.

Published by Isha Kataria on 25 Jan 2019