New Delhi: Former prime minister of India and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred the Bharat Ratna — the country's highest civilian honour— on Friday.


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President Pranab Mukherjee personally visited the ailing leader, in a break from tradition, and conferred the award on him.


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  • Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan too was present. 
  • Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed too was present at the ceremony.
  • BJP president Amit Shah, ministers - Venkaiah Naidu, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Sushma Swaraj present at the ceremony.
  • I pray to god that Atal ji's life continues to inspire us and guide us: PM Narendra Modi
  • ​Atal ji dedicated his life to the nation, he dedicated every moment of his life for the service of nation: PM Modi 
  • Vajpayee ji is a source of inspiration for many Indians like me: PM Modi


  • ​We got an opportunity to confer Bharat Ratna on Atal ji who dedicated his life to nation,son of mother India: PM Modi 
  • Atal ji gave his life to Bharat Bhakti. Today he was honoured with Bharat Ratna: PM Modi

​Atal ji gave his life to Bharat Bhakti. Today he was honoured with Bharat Ratna: PM @narendramodi



  • LK Advani, Sharad Yadav among those present at the ceremony: Arun Jaitley
  • PM Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh were ​present at the ceremony: Arun Jaitley
  • Vajpayee ji has left an indelible mark on the country: Arun Jaitley
  • It is an honour to the award itself that Vajpayee ji has been conferred the Bharat Ratna: Arun Jaitley
  • The ceremony was held by Rashtrapati Bhavan at Vajpayee ji's residence because he doesn't go out on account of health reasons: Arun Jaitley
  • Vajpayee ji is unwell: Arun Jaitley
  • President leaves Vajpayee's residence.
  • Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee conferred Bharat Ratna by President: Arun Jaitley
  • President Pranab Mukherjee leaves for former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s residence.
  • PM Narendra Modi has welcomed President's gesture of visiting Vajpayee's residence to confer the Bharat Ratna on him.