Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been awarded the Bharat Ratna
As the government today announced that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, celebrations broke out at his ancestral home in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
"His family is happy, the country is happy, and we think the whole world is happy," said Mr Vajpayee's niece Kanti Mishra.
"He is the pride of the family. He is receiving the award late, but we are happy he has finally got it," she added.
The family plans a double celebration on Thursday - Mr Vajpayee's birthday. Kanti Mishra said she would prepare the 89-year-old leader's favourite dishes, including "Mungode" and "Gajar Ka Halwa."
His great grandson Animesh said, "I never dreamed that the day would come."
Mr Vajpayee, a three-time prime minister, has stayed away from public life for the past few years because of his poor health.
"It is a matter of pride. His party should be proud of him; he gave it his blood and sweat," said another niece Karuna Shukla, who recently quit the BJP and joined Congress.