Prez confers Bharat Ratna on former PM Vajpayee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27

President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the country's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence here this evening. In a special gesture, the President drove down to the 6A, Krishna Menon Marg, where former Prime Minister Vajpayee has been residing since 2004, to bestow the award in a simple ceremony.

The Narendra Modi government announced the award on December 24 last year, on the eve of Vajpayee turning 90. The former Prime Minister has been away from public glare and remains confined to his official residence on account of age-related issues.

Vajpayee, who has the distinction of the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term, held the office on three occasions -- for 13 days in 1996, then for 13 months between 1998-99 and a full term between 1999-2004. He ran a successful coalition of over 20-odd parties between 1998-2004.

As a measure of his enormous goodwill, several Chief Ministers including members of the National Democratic Alliance like Mufti Mohammed Sayeed (Jammu and Kashmir), Parkash Singh Badal (Punjab) and N Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) joined Vice-President Hamid Ansari, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Council of Ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CMs of BJP-ruled states for the event.

The citation said that during his tenure as PM, Vajpayee held a broad-based coalition together, setting the norms for an inclusive political landscape to govern India for years to come. 

Describing Vajpayee as a true leader, it said that undeterred by colleagues and Opposition leaders alike, Vajpayee followed his instinct and heart to initiate diplomatic dialogues with Pakistan. Regardless of the Kargil conflict, his efforts are deemed as defining moments in India-Pakistan relations.

"This element of original and individualistic thinking helped in building a vision of India -- futuristic, yet stable...His example, both in politics and otherwise, embodies the need for co-existence, coupled with cultivating for the nation a strong sense of self...Vajpayee represents a moderating influence against polemic by encouraging dialogue. A great orator and poet-leader, he moves not just his followers but also an entire nation to walk with him, and work with him," the citation read.

Paying tributes, Prime Minister Modi said, "Atalji is an outstanding son of the country...He has lived every moment of his life for the country. He is an inspiration for crores of people like me.”

1st non-Cong PM to complete term

Vajpayee, who has the distinction of the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term, held the office on three occasions -- for 13 days in 1996, then for 13 months between 1998-99 and a full term between 1999-2004