Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed and expressed happiness on the announcement of Bharat Ratna for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya.
Governor Yadav said the people of the country felt pride on Bharat Ratna being conferred on Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said that Vajpayee was also a great poet, litterateur and patriot apart from a political leader.The Governor said that Mahamana Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya had made important contributions in education and the dissemination of socialist ideology and added that conferment of Bharat Ratna to both these great personalities of the country would give a new direction and inspiration to the youth.
Expressing happiness over the announcement, Chouhan said in New Delhi that Vajpayee was an exceptionally gifted person. He deserves Bharat Ratna in real terms. Besides being a real gem (Ratna) of India, he was an able administrator, ideologue and true son of the soil. He dedicated his life for the cause of the country. Though he belonged to Madhya Pradesh, he was the hero of the entire country.He said that Vajpayee had been a source of inspiration for him since childhood. He used to go to far off places to hear his speeches. Vajpayee never discriminated between senior and junior workers.
Chouhan informed that he never found Vajpayee disturbed or worried while working. He believed in working and getting work done in a pleasant atmosphere. India attained a new identity during his prime ministership during the NDA rule. India displayed its power through Pokhran nuclear explosion during his term.Chouhan also expressed happiness over the conferment of Bharat Ratna (posthumously) on Malaviya. Chouhan said that Malviya was a great nationalist academic and freedom-fighter. The Chief Minister recalled his contribution in the establishment of Benaras Hindu University.
Meanwhile, Public Relations, Energy, New and Renewable Energy and Mineral Resources Development Minister Rajendra Shukla has expressed happiness in the award. Shukla said that apart from the country, Madhya Pradesh had also felt proud on conferment of Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee and Malaviya. Shukla said that this decision of the Central Government was praiseworthy.Woman and Child Development Minister Maya Singh, greeting the former Prime Minister on his birthday, wished him a long life and stated that he deserved Bharat Ratna.