President Ram Nath Kovind confers Bharat Ratna on Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh (P) and Bhupen Hazarika (P)

President of India Ram Nath Kovind conferred the highest civilian award of the country, 'Bharat Ratna', to three distinguished individuals who had contributed immensely to the nation. Late social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, late playback singer Bhupen Hazarika and former President of India Pranab Mukherjee were conferred the honour on August 8. 

Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh(P) and Bhupen Hazarika (P) conferred with Bharat Ratna

The recipients were awarded the highest civilian honour for their contributions to the nation in various fields. Nanaji Deshmukh was posthumously awarded and Virender Jeet Singh received the award on the former's behalf. Bhupen Hazarika, too, was posthumously awarded and it was received by his son Tej Hazarika.    

Former President Pranab Mukherjee was also conferred with the nation's highest honour, as he proudly marched his way to President Kovind to receive the honour and the medal. He then shook hands with Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP Working President JP Nadda, senior BJP leader LK Advani and other dignitaries seated among the audience.  

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The Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India. Instituted in 1954, the award is conferred "in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order", without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. The award was originally limited to achievements in the arts, literature, science, and public services, but the government expanded the criteria to include "any field of human endeavour" in December 2011. The recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President, with a maximum of three nominees being awarded per year. Recipients receive a Sanad signed by the President and a peepal-leaf–shaped medallion; there is no monetary grant associated with the award. Bharat Ratna recipients rank seventh in the Indian order of precedence.

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