Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Dr Bhupen Hazarika conferred Bharat Ratna
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Jan 25, 2019, 21:04 ISTHighlights
- Bhupen Hazarika was an Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet and film-maker from Assam
- Nanaji Deshmukh, a social activist, was known for his immense contributions in the field of education, health and rural self-reliance
- Pranab Mukherjee was the 13th president of India from 2012 to 2017
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader late Nanaji Deshmukh, singer Bhupen Hazarika and former president Pranab Mukherjee were on Friday conferred the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.
In an official statement, the government said Deshmukh and Hazarika were conferred the award posthumously.
Hazarika was an Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet and film-maker from Assam. He is widely considered as a unifying figure who helped numerous indigenous groups struggling to find an identity in the post-independent India. His illustrious career has been dotted with numerous awards, including the 187 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1977 Padmashri, and 2001 Padmabhushan.
Deshmukh, a social activist, was known for his immense contributions in the field of education, health and rural self-reliance. He was a member of the Bhartiya Jana Sangh and also a member of the Rajya Sabha. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
Mukherjee was the 13th president of India from 2012 to 2017. He started his career as a Congress leader and held several ministerial berths in the Government of India. Prior to becoming the President, Mukherjee was the Union finance minister in the Congress-led UPA II government from 2009 to 2012.
Shortly after the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pranab Mukherjee and remembered late Bhupen Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh.
The Prime Minister said that Hazarika popularised India's musical traditions globally.
Remembering Deshmukh, the Prime Minister said that he "personifies humanity, compassion and service to the downtrodden".
In an official statement, the government said Deshmukh and Hazarika were conferred the award posthumously.
Hazarika was an Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet and film-maker from Assam. He is widely considered as a unifying figure who helped numerous indigenous groups struggling to find an identity in the post-independent India. His illustrious career has been dotted with numerous awards, including the 187 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1977 Padmashri, and 2001 Padmabhushan.
Deshmukh, a social activist, was known for his immense contributions in the field of education, health and rural self-reliance. He was a member of the Bhartiya Jana Sangh and also a member of the Rajya Sabha. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
Mukherjee was the 13th president of India from 2012 to 2017. He started his career as a Congress leader and held several ministerial berths in the Government of India. Prior to becoming the President, Mukherjee was the Union finance minister in the Congress-led UPA II government from 2009 to 2012.
Shortly after the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pranab Mukherjee and remembered late Bhupen Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh.
Pranab Da is an outstanding statesman of our times. He has served the nation selflessly and tirelessly for decade… https://t.co/RLrlQLyIGj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1548428625000The Prime Minister said that Hazarika popularised India's musical traditions globally.
The songs and music of Shri Bhupen Hazarika are admired by people across generations. From them radiates the messag… https://t.co/6I49RwajDi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1548428590000Remembering Deshmukh, the Prime Minister said that he "personifies humanity, compassion and service to the downtrodden".
Nanaji Deshmukh's stellar contribution towards rural development showed the way for a new paradigm of empowering th… https://t.co/o0W91SXRw3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1548428537000Download The Times of India News App for Latest India News.
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