Bharat Ratna for Pranab, Nanaji Deshmukh, Hazarika

​New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee, Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader late Nanaji Deshmukh and singer Bhupen Hazarika were on Friday conferred the country's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. Deshmukh and Hazarika were conferred the award posthumously, while Mukherjee was President between 2012 and 2017.

Calling Mukherjee "an outstanding statesman of our times", Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was "delighted that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna".

"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," Modi said. Modi said the songs and music of Hazarika were 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," the PM said.

On Deshmukh being conferred the award, Modi was quoted as saying that his "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," Modi said.