Vajpayee, Malviya chosen for Bharat Ratna

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and educationist Madan Mohan Malviya were today chosen for the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.

The announcement came ahead of Vajpayee's 90th birthday tomorrow.

"The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya (posthumously) and to Atal Bihari Vajpayee," a press communique from Rashtrapati Bhavan said.