Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani today said Bharat Ratna is an honour for him as a person, and also for the ideals and principles that he strove to serve throughout his life.

In a statement on the announcement of conferring Bharat Ratna to him, Mr Advani said ever since he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as its volunteer at the age of fourteen, he sought reward in dedicated and selfless service of India.

Mr Advani remembered two persons with whom he had the honour of working closely – Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing the honour on him.

He expressed gratitude to the party workers, swayamsevaks and others with whom he worked throughout his journey in public life.