Pranab Mukherjee receives Bharat Ratna

New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee received the country’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, from President Ram Nath Kovind at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Thursday evening.

Besides Mukherjee, two others received the award posthumously — social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika.

Bhupen Hazarika’s son Tej Hazarika received the award on his behalf, while a relative of Nanaji Deshmukh, Virender Jeet Singh received the award for him.

Watch LIVE as President Kovind presents Bharat Ratna to Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously) and Dr Bhupen Hazarika (posthumously) at Rashtrapati Bhavan https://t.co/dmvFSQQGMS

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 8, 2019

The announcement for Bharat Ratna was made on January 25 in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

83-year-old Mukherjee had served as one of the most senior ministers in the Congress governments headed by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.

He also served on the Board of Governors of the IMF, World Bank, ADB and African Development Bank.

Vice President M Venkaikah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and several Union Ministers were present at the function.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Passes Jammu And Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019