Received much more from country than given to it: Pranab on Bharat Ratna

WION Web Team

New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Jan 26, 2019, 05:11 PM IST

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee addresses the nation in his farewell speech. Image courtesy: PIB Photograph:(Others)

Story highlights

Mukherjee was reacting after being conferred Bharat Ratna

Former President Dr Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said ''in my public life I've received much more from the people and from this country than I've given to it''.

Mukherjee was reacting after being conferred Bharat Ratna.

''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. #CitizenMukherjee,'' tweeted former president.

Former President Dr Pranab Mukherjee: But at the same time, with all humility, I accept this honour. I have conveyed my appreciation by talking to the President of the Republic. https://t.co/UXiJe3z40x
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019

''I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people of this country,'' he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

According to ANI, Mukherjee said ''I conveyed my appreciation by talking to the President of the Republic''.

Sharmistha Mukherjee: 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 achievement of #BharatRatna, it's a very long journey pic.twitter.com/IK8HwE3OCY
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2019