
New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, on Friday evening by President Pranab Mukherjee at Vajpayee's residence, with Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also set to attend the ceremony.
Several top cabinet ministers are to attend the function at 5 p.m.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday expressed happiness at Vajpayee being conferred the Bharat Ratna.
"It is a moment of pride and happiness that Bharat Ratna will be conferred upon Atalji today (Friday). He is loved and admired by everyone," he tweeted.
Earlier on Friday, speaking to reporters, the home minister said Vajpayee is not only just an Indian statesman but an international icon who is respected and loved by everyone.
"Atalji's name evokes a sense of respect and reverence in every heart," he said, adding that it is a matter of immense happiness for the whole country that Vajpayee is being bestowed with the Bharat Ratna.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Happy that Atal Ji is being conferred Bharat Ratna today. A truly great statesman who richly deserves honour. I wish him well..."
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted his congratulations: "Heartiest congratulations to our revered mentor & beloved Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji for being conferred with 'Bharat Ratna' today."
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: "My heartfelt congratulations to Vajpayee Sahib & his family on the day he receives the Bharat Ratna. It was an honour to serve under him."
Andhra Pradesh: First flood alert at Prakasam barrage, Meteorological department issues alert
The first flood warning was issued at Prakasam Barrage in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada on Friday m
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the new Amrit Bharat train in Ayodhya today. PM Narend
The Joint Parliamentary Committee constituted for detailed deliberations on the One Nation, One E
Women not safe in Assam, statistics reveal
Guwahati, March 23 (IANS) Women are seemingly not safe in Assam. From 2005 to 2014, nearly 16,0
Former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar may reach to watch the T20 World Cup match between India a
The Maha Kumbh of Asia Cup is going to start on 27th August. Six teams will take part in this tou
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are in constant discussion about their marriage these days. Meanwhil
Markets can be opened in Delhi with Odd-Even rule, know what concessions can be found?
New Delhi: The fourth phase of lockdown has started from Monday. After 54 days of lockdown, in th
Total crosses 10,000 worldwide, India cases now at 195
दुनिया भर में वायरस 234,000 से अधिक लोगों
PM Narendra Modi is on a Europe tour. During his Europe tour, he will also visit France, where he