Former President Pranab Mukherjee has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, by President Ram Nath Kovind today.

"Pranab Mukherjee's life-long political career spanned about five decades, during which he held various key posts in the Congress as well as in the governments led by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. The 83-year-old served as India's 13th President from 2012-2017, but prior to his election to the post, Mukherjee also served as the Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012," a report read.

Expressing his gratitude on being honoured with the Bharat Ratna, Pranab Mukherjee had said in January, "I've received much more from the people and from this country than I have given to it. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people of this country...At the same time, with all humility, I accept this honour. I have conveyed my appreciation by talking to the President of the Republic. I also convey my deepest gratitude to the people of this country."

Congratulating him on the award and praising him for his service to the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted, "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."

Along with the former President, eminent singer Late Shri Bhupen Hazarika and social activist Late Shri Nanaji Deshmukh have been awarded the Bharat Ratna today.