With former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee receiving the Bharat Ratna on Friday, incumbent Narendra Modi dubbed the day as 'historic' for crores of Indians, and showered praise on President Pranab Mukherjee for departing from convention and personally visiting the ailing statesman's residence to confer him the honour.
Prime Minister Modi took to twitter to share his sentiments.
"Today is a historic day for crores of Indians like me, when former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being awarded the Bharat Ratna," he tweeted.
"Departing from convention,Rashtrapatiji is going to Atalji's residence to confer him the Bharat Ratna. This gesture reflects grace and dignity," he added.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan had, via a press communique, earlier in December stated that President Mukherjee will be conferring the Bharat Ratna to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya (posthumously) and to Vajpayee.
The Bharat Ratna is the country's highest civilian award.