A day ahead of the 70th Republic Day of India, former President Pranab Mukherjee, social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and eminent musician-singer Bhupen Hazarika have been conferred with the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna. Both Deshmukh and Hazarika were given the highest honour posthumously. Mukherjee, who has been a senior leader of the Indian National Congress in his five-decade-long political career, served as the President of India between 2012 and 2017. Prior to this, he was Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012.
Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with a series of best wishes and greetings with political leaders and celebrities from across the country congratulating Mukherjee and remembering the significant contribution of Hazarika and Deshmukh to the Indian society.
Here is how Twitterati react:
Narendra Modi:
Soon after the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and congratulated Mukherjee describing him a "strong imprint on the nation's growth trajectory". He also recalled the significant contributions of Deshmukh and Hazarika to the Indian society.
Rahul Gandhi:
The Congress president also expressed his happiness, saying the party takes great pride in the fact that the immense contribution of Mukherjee to public service and nation building, has been recognised and honoured.
Devendra Fadnavis:
Taking to Twitter the Maharashtra Chief Minister wrote, "Delighted that great son of India, our guiding light, a visionary leader from Maharashtra Nanaji Deshmukh is conferred upon with the highest honour Bharat Ratna by Honourable President of India. Nanaji worked hard in diverse fields like education, health, rural devpt! My Pranam to him!".
Ravi Shankar Prasad:
"Greetings to PM Narendra Modi Ji for three outstanding choices for Bharat Ratna to some of the most deserving persons. Nanaji Deshmukh was a genius, a social reformer who quit politics at the prime of his career and dedicated his life for rural development," the Union Minister tweeted.
M Venkaiah Naidu:
The Vice President wrote, "Delighted to know that the prestigious Bharat Ratna has been conferred upon former President of India and statesman-par-excellence Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the great social activist, Late Shri Nanaji Deshmukh and the legendary singer Late Shri Bhupen Hazarika".
Rajyavardhan Rathore:
The Union Minister congratulated former president Mukherjee while extending his best wishes to the families of Hazarika and Deshmukh.
Anupam Kher:
The veteran Bollywood actor also extended his best wishes saying, "Congratulations Honourable Pranab Mukherjee for the highest civilian award - Bharat Ratna. Your life is a great source of inspiration for millions of Indians all over the world. Jai Hind & Jai Ho.ðŸ™ðŸ™".
Anil Kapoor:
Naveen Patnaik:
Raman Singh:
Nirmala Sitharaman:
Suresh Prabhu:
Dharmendra Pradhan:
Amit Shah:
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