The President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday announced Bharat Ratna to former President Pranab Mukherjee, social activist Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously), and music maestro Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (posthumously).
The announcement came a day ahead of the 70th Republic Day celebrations in the Presidents Republic Day Address to the Nation.
More about the winners-
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika – Was an Indian musician, signer, and a filmmaker from Assam. His songs, based on the themes of communal amity, universal justice and empathy. Hazarika brought the entire North East closer to India with his singing. Dr. Hazarika did not shy away from public service, he was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Nanaji Deshmukh – Was a social activists and had worked in the fields of education, health, and rural self-reliance. He did pioneering work towards the anti-poverty. He chose to serve the poorest among the poor. Deshmukh was a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and he was a leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS).
Pranab Mukherjee – Served as the 13th President of India and has a political career spanning five decades. Mukherjee is a Senior leader of the Congress party and was a Union Minister in several Congress-led governments. He quit active politics once he was elected President of India in 2012.