'Honour for my principles': LK Advani reacts as PM Modi announces Bharat Ratna honour

Lal Krishna Advani Bharat Ratna: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India. The announcement was made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. Advani has been a key leading figure in the BJP for decades and has served as home minister of India. He has also helmed several other ministries and was deputy prime minister under then-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in early 2000s.

Hours after Prime Minister Modi, once a disciple of Advani, made the announcement, the 96-year-old veteran expressed gratitude and said he was humbled by the honour.

Narendra Modi (first from right) with LK Advani (third from right) during Gujarat leg of Ram Rath Yatra in September 1990 | File

"With utmost humility and gratitude, I accept the 'Bharat Ratna' that has been conferred on me today. It is not only an honour for me as a person, but also for the ideals and principles that I have strobe to serve throughout my life to the best of my ability...," said Advani.

While making the announcement PM Modi said, "Advani Ji’s decades-long service in public life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity, setting an exemplary standard in political ethics. He has made unparalleled efforts towards furthering national unity and cultural resurgence. The conferring of the Bharat Ratna on him is a very emotional moment for me. I will always consider it my privilege that I got countless opportunities to interact with him and learn from him."

Who is Lal Krishna Advani?

Lal Krishna Advani was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi which is now in present-day Pakistan. After partition, his family migrated to India. Advani joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in1941, when he was just 14 years old.

In 1951, just four years after India gainedindependence, LK Advani joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. The 'Jana Sangh' as it is commonly called, was political precursor of the BJP. Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who later became an iconic BJP leader.

Advani began consolidating his position in India's national-level politics in 1970 when he became a Rajya Sabha - upper house of the Parliament - member for the first time in 1970. He thenbecame the leader of the house in1977.

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Advani was a member of the housetill 1989, serving four terms.

He was one of the founding members of the BJP. Advaniwon a Lok Sabha - lower house of Parliament - seat for the first time in 1989.

Advani has been honoured with India's top civilian awardbefore as well. In 2015, he was conferred Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour of the country.