Ex-President Pranab Mukherjee awarded Bharat Ratna

President Ram Nath Kovind confers Bharat Ratna upon former president Pranab Mukherjee during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, Thursday, Aug 8, 2019. (PTI)

New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) Former President Pranab Mukherjeee on Thursday received the Bharat Ratna -- the highest civilian award in the country -- which was also conferred to late social activist Nanaji Deshmukh and late singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika.

Deshmukh and Hazarika's family members received the awards on their behalf while Mukherjee received it himself.

President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the awards at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan.