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."
RTPCR virus is not catching; 80% of case-a-symptomatic, CT scan results in lung infection
Corona has reached super active mode in Rajasthan. In 10 days, infection cases tripled. On Thursd
To get Delhi its rightful share of water from Haryana, Water Minister Atishi is going to start an
15-30% of the people in the Corona Containment Zone got infected and recovered themselves - ICMR
New Delhi. Everyday the number of patients infected with Coronavirus is increasing. Meanwhile, th
Ebrahim Raisi: 'Can't rule out any possibility', foreign affairs expert on raisi's death
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was returning from East Azerbaijan. Then his helicopter crashed&n
A new variant of the coronavirus has once again created panic in Europe. According to media repor
Given the consecration of life in Shri Ram Temple, traffic diversion will be implemented from mid
There is still confusion about the date of Diwali. The scholars of Kashi say that the festival of
G20: 'Instead of who is coming to G20, the focus should be on issues', S jaishankar's big statement
The absence of Russian President Putin and later Chinese President Xi Jinping has been confirmed
IPL has always been special for cricketers, but this time it will be different. Along with the ti
If Imran Khan's government falls, then what will happen next in Pakistan?
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is going through the most difficult phase of his political c
