New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee will be honored with India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna by incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind today.
Expressing his gratitude for being selected for the country’s highest civilian award, the 83-year old former President said, “I’ve received much more from the people & from this country than I’ve given to it.”
Mukherjee is a seasoned Indian politician who served as 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017. He succeeded India’s first woman President Prathibha Patil.
In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee has been a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and has occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India . Prior to his election as President, Mukherjee was Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012.