Former President Pranab Mukherjee to receive Bharat Ratna today

With a political career spanning over fifty years, former President of India and Congress man Pranab Mukherjee will receive India’s highest honour today at Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Ram Nath Kovind.

Pranab Mukherjee came into mainstream politics in 1969 as member of Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. Born to freedom fighters from West Bengal, Mukherjee’s father was a Congress leader. With a Master’s degree in History and Political Science and a  degree in Law from the University of Calcutta, Mukherjee worked as a professor and a journalist before coming into politics.

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Calling him “an outstanding statesman of our times” Prime Minister Modi had congratulated Pranab Mukherjee on Republic day eve when the announcement was made.

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

In 1973, he got his first ministerial post in Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s cabinet. Mukherjee then went on to hold some of the most important ministries like finance, external affairs and defence.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also congratulated Mukherjee and said, “The Congress Party takes great pride in the fact that the immense contribution to public service & nation building of one of our own, has been recognised & honoured. (sic)”

Congratulations to Pranab Da on being awarded the Bharat Ratna!

The Congress Party takes great pride in the fact that the immense contribution to public service & nation building of one of our own, has been recognised & honoured.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 25, 2019

As President, Pranab Mukherjee awarded Bharat Ratna to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malviya posthumously in 2015.