Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award here on Tuesday on the occasion of the 103rd death anniversary of Freedom Fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Modi received the award in the presence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.
Expressing his gratitude after receiving the award, the Prime Minister said that I am a very fortunate person to receive the award of Lokmanya Tilak, who sacrificed his whole life for the freedom of the country.
"I am very lucky to have the opportunity to come to this holy land of Pune to receive this prestigious award, Modi said.
The PM was welcomed with a Puneri turban when he arrived on the stage at SP College in the heart of the city.
This is an unforgettable experience in my life. When an award is received, the person's responsibility also increases.
"I dedicate this award to 140 crore countrymen", Modi said.
Sharad Pawar also shared the stage with the Prime Minister during the award ceremony, despite opposition from some MPs.
The Prime Minister said that I have decided to donate the amount of this award to the "Namami Ganga Project" since I got this award, whose name is "Bal Gangadhar Tilak itself."
Congress workers and few others organisations staged protest at Mandai area against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Manipur violence.
Around 20 workers of the Congress Party, including MLA Ravindra Dhangekar were detained by the police when they started shouting slogans against Modi at Mandai premises, which was near to Lord Ganpathi temple, where the PM performed Puja and Aarti. (UNI)