Gwalior: 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.
"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.
His great grandson Animesh said, "I never dreamed that the day would come."
Advertisement
"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.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
PM Modi Urges Indian Olympians To Join 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign President Murmu, PM Modi Pay Tributes To Atal Bihari Vajpayee On Death Anniversary Aiming To Achieve Net Zero Emission In Railways By 2030: PM Modi Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death Mpox Outbreak Could Soon Turn Into The Next Global Pandemic. Know More Police Arrest Suspect In Bihar Dalit Girl Kidnapping, Murder Case 80 Killed In Paramilitary Attack In Sudan OpenAI Blocks Iranian Group's ChatGPT Accounts For Targeting US Election Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.