Bharat Ratna: Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile greets Atal Bihari Vajpayee

DHARAMSALA: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile based here today congratulated former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on being conferred with Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.

"The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, on behalf of all the Tibetans, expresses its heartfelt congratulations to you on being awarded India's highest civilian award...," Speaker Penpa Tsering said in a letter to the former Prime Minister.

"You are one of India's most outstanding Prime Ministers and are one of the charismatic leaders of all times. We thank you for your kind support extended towards our Tibetan cause," he said.

"Moreover, the announcement of this prestigious award coincides with your birthday which the government of India declared as 'Good Governance Day'," the Tibetan parliament said on Friday.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile also welcomed the decision to confer Bharat Ratna on freedom fighter and founder of Banaras Hindu University Late Madan Mohan Malaviya.

In a separate letter to Malaviya's son Satya Prakash Malaviya, the Speaker said "While appreciating the Government of India for this gesture towards your illustrious father, I take this opportunity to thank you for your valuable support for the cause of Tibet."