Former President Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika conferred with Bharat Ratna

Renowned Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika and acclaimed social activist Nanaji Deshmukh will be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

NEW DELHI: Former President Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika will be conferred with the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. According to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the eve of the 70th Republic Day, renowned Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika and acclaimed social activist Nanaji Deshmukh will be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously. Who is Pranab Mukherjee

• Mukherjee, fondly known as 'Pranab Da', was the president between 2012 and 2017.
• Mukherjee became India's youngest finance minister in 1982 at the age of 47.
• From 2004, he went on to head three crucial ministries - External Affairs, Defence and Finance.
• He became the first occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan to have this distinction.
• Last year, Mukherjee had drawn flak from certain quarters for attending an RSS function in Nagpur.

It is reported that Narendra Modi had personally called Pranab Mukherjee to convey the news. On Twitter, PM wrote “Pranab Da is an outstanding statesman of our times. He has served the nation selflessly and tirelessly for decades, leaving a strong imprint on the nation's growth trajectory. His wisdom and intellect have few parallels. Delighted that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna.”

Pranab Da is an outstanding statesman of our times.

He has served the nation selflessly and tirelessly for decades, leaving a strong imprint on the nation's growth trajectory. His wisdom and intellect have few parallels. Delighted that he has been conferred the Bharat Ratna. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

Who was Bhupen Hazarika?

• Born in 1926, Hazarika was a playback singer, lyricist, musician, singer, poet and film-maker from Assam.
• A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), Padmashri (1977), Padmabhushan (2001) and Padma Vibhushan (2012-posthumously), Hazarika was also awarded with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1992.
• Hazarika did his Phd from Columbia University in 1952. He died in 2011.
• The cultural icon also had a brush with politics and had unsuccessfully contested the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket in 2004.
• He was an independent MLA in Assam during 1967-72.
• Hazarika gave music in Bollywood movies Rudaali, Darmiyaan, Gaja Gamini, Daman and many Assamese hits, including award winning film Sameli Memsaab.

For Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, PM Modi tweeted "The songs and music of Shri Bhupen Hazarika are admired by people across generations. From them radiates the message of justice, harmony and brotherhood. He popularised India's musical traditions globally. Happy that the Bharat Ratna has been conferred on Bhupen Da."

The songs and music of Shri Bhupen Hazarika are admired by people across generations. From them radiates the message of justice, harmony and brotherhood.

He popularised India's musical traditions globally. Happy that the Bharat Ratna has been conferred on Bhupen Da. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

 Who was Nanaji Deshmukh?

• Deshmukh was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since 1928 till his death in Satna, Madhya Pradesh in 2010 at the age of 94.
• He was known for starting the chain of RSS inspired schools throughout India.
• He was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh which later evolved as the Bharatiya Janta Party.
• Deshmukh was considered to be one of the architects of the Jai Prakash Narain movement against Emergency in 1974.
• He was among the key persons in the formation of the Janata Party government in 1977.

On the acclaimed social activist Nanaji Deshmukh winning the highest civilian honour, PM Modi wrote "Nanaji Deshmukh's stellar contribution towards rural development showed the way for a new paradigm of empowering those living in our villages. He personifies humility, compassion and service to the downtrodden. He is a Bharat Ratna in the truest sense!"

Nanaji Deshmukh's stellar contribution towards rural development showed the way for a new paradigm of empowering those living in our villages.

He personifies humility, compassion and service to the downtrodden. He is a Bharat Ratna in the truest sense! — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019