Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred with Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, at a special function at his residence.In a rare departure from protocol, President Pranab Mukherjee, himself a veteran parliamentarian, drove to Vajpayee’s residence at Krishna Menon Marg in lutyens’ Delhi to confer the honour at a simple ceremony, as he is ailing and has been out of public life for about eight years.
Political leaders, cutting across party lines, hailed conferment of Bharat Ratna on Vajpayee, saying it was a fitting recognition to the international icon, statesman and outstanding orator. The brief event took place in the presence of select dignitaries, including Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and close family members that included his foster son-in-law Ranjan Bhattacharya and foster daughter Namita.
The citation read out on the occasion described Vajpayee as a statesman known for a subtle sharpness that engages, attracts and brings many together. In his six-decade-long political career, five of which were in Parliament, Vajpayee was elected to the lok Sabha ten times and twice to the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004, Vajpayee has faded from public life due to age-related illness. The event was kept out of media glare.
Considered the moderate face of the BJP, he has been credited with taking bold initiatives for forging good ties with Pakistan which included a historic bus journey to lahore in 1999 when he signed the landmark lahore Declaration with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with both sides pledging to push for peace and security.
After the presentation of the award, a tea party was hosted for a select group of leaders who were invited for the function that included former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP leader lK Advani, Arun Jaitley, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and Chief Ministers Parkash Singh Badal (Punjab), Mufti Mohammed Sayeed (Jammu & Kashmir), N Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) and Vasundhara Raje (Rajasthan).
After the function Modi said, “Atal’s life was dedicated to the nation, he lived and thought for the nation, every second. In India there are crores of workers like me in whose life Vajpayee is an inspiration. The upcoming generations will continue to be inspired by him. I will pray to God for this only that Bharat Ratna awardee Vajpayee’s life continues to inspire and guide us forever.”
Modi also thanked the President for his gesture to honour Vajpayee at his residence. “It is a historic day for crores of Indians today when Vajpayee is being given Bharat Ratna award,” he later tweeted.Congress president Sonia Gandhi hailed conferment of Bharat Ratna on Vajpayee, saying he had a “large-hearted vision” and the award is a “fitting recognition” of his statesmanship, wisdom and deep commitment to national interests.
While Home Minister Rajnath Singh described Vajpayee as an international icon who is respected and loved by one and all, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the former Prime Minister is a leader par excellence who has worked tirelessly for the nation.
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, who served as Minister of State in Vajpayee’s cabinet, said his father Farooq Abdullah had suggested to the UPA Government to award Vajpayee with Bharat Ratna.JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav described him as a veteran leader who enjoyed goodwill of all parties. Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh also congratulated the former PM.
