The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has said today is a historic day for crores of Indians like him, when former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being awarded the Bharat Ratna.

"मेरे जैसे करोड़ों देशवासियों के लिए आज का दिन ऐतिहासिक है, जब अटल जी को भारत रत्न दिया जा रहा है।

Departing from convention, Rashtrapatiji is going to Atalji's residence to confer him the Bharat Ratna. This gesture reflects grace and dignity," the Prime Minister said.