New Delhi, January 26: A day after former President Pranab Mukherjee was conferred with India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee recounted the long and tough journey that her father has had to undergo to achieve all that he has in life. Sharmistha Mukherjee said that, "My father (Dr Pranab Mukherjee) started his journey from a very remote village of Bengal. There was no development, roads, electricity. He had to travel for 10 kms every day to go to school. From there to achieve the Bharat Ratna, it's a very long journey." Pranab Mukherjee, Former President, Awarded Bharat Ratna; Know Journey of The Leader Who Became a Statesman.

On January 25, 2019, a day before the 70th Republic Day, former President and senior politician Pranab Mukherjee, was conferred with the Bharat Ratna along with Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Nanasaheb Deshmukh. Bharat Ratna For Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh & Bhupen Hazarika; PM Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Congratulate and Remember Recipients of India’s Highest Civilian Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mukherjee and wrote on twitter, "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." Bharat Ratna: Know All About India’s Highest Civilian Award; Here’s List of Award Winners From C Rajagopalachari to Pranab Mukherjee.

Pranab Mukherjee expressed his gratitude and said that, "It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude to the people of India that I accept this great honour #BharatRatna bestowed upon me. I have always said and I repeat, that I have got more from the people of our great country than I have given to them."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2019 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).