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Former President Pranab Mukherjee to receive Bharat Ratna today

Pranab Mukherjee came into mainstream politics in 1969 as member of Rajya Sabha from West Bengal.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee to receive Bharat Ratna today

Former President Pranab Mukherjee. (File Photo: IANS)

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.

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

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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)”

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

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