President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and other senior leaders paid floral tributes at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ in New Delhi on Sunday, August 16, to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his eighth death anniversary (Punya Tithi).
The leaders also attended a solemn prayer meeting held in Vajpayee’s memory.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind, Rajya Sabha Vice Chairman Harivansh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP National President Nitin Nabin were among the leaders who joined in paying homage to the late leader.
Taking to his X handle, PM Modi remembered Vajpayee as an extraordinary statesman blessed with remarkable vision who dedicated his life to the service of our nation.
The Prime Minister noted that his words and efforts inspired generations and that his leadership strengthened our nation. He emphasized that Atal Ji’s focus on good governance and public welfare will always continue to guide us.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. An extraordinary statesman blessed with remarkable vision, he dedicated his life to the service of our nation. His words and efforts inspired generations and his leadership strengthened our nation. His focus on good governance and public welfare will always continue to guide us.”
Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not only a statesman but also a poet and writer.
He served as India’s Prime Minister three times — first briefly in 1996 for 13 days, then from 1998 to 1999 for 13 months, and later for a full term from 1999 to 2004. Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018, at AIIMS in New Delhi.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi took to social media and paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, hailing his remarkable vision.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister, recalling his contributions to the nation.
“On the death anniversary of former Prime Minister and the founder of BJP, Bharat Ratna, the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I pay my homage to him. Atal ji was a patriot politician of such calibre who dedicated every moment of his life to the service of the nation,” HM Shah said in a post on X.
“On one hand, he made the entire world aware of India’s strength through nuclear tests and the Kargil War, while on the other hand, his value-based politics brought the vision of Antyodaya and good governance to the ground for the first time. Atal ji’s towering personality and leadership will continue to inspire every BJP worker towards nation-building forever,” he added.
In a related development, Shah arrived at Maharana Pratap Airport in Dabok, Udaipur, late on Saturday for a two-day visit to Rajasthan, where he was received by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma along with state ministers and local BJP leaders.
“On arrival in the land of the brave, Rajasthan, a heartfelt welcome and felicitation was extended to the Honourable Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah ji by presenting a bouquet of flowers at Udaipur Airport,” Bhajanlal Sharma posted on X.
State Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharadi, Cooperation Minister Gautam Dak, district in-charge minister Hemant Meena, MPs CP Joshi and Mannalal Rawat, Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasia and several MLAs were present at the airport.
BJP city district president Gajpal Singh Rathore and rural district president Pushkar Teli were also present.
“Heartfelt welcome and congratulations to the Honourable Union Home and Cooperation Minister of the country, Shri @AmitShah ji, upon his arrival in Rajasthan, the glorious land of valour, courage, and heroism,” Rajasthan BJP posted on X.
Following his arrival, Shah and Chief Minister Sharma proceeded to the Udaipur Circuit House for an overnight stay.
On Sunday, Shah and CM Sharma are scheduled to travel by helicopter to Nimbahera in Chittorgarh district, where they will unveil a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and address a public rally.
Shah is also scheduled to visit Alwar, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 6,262 crore.
During his visit to Alwar, the Union Home Minister is also expected to distribute appointment letters under the Mukhyamantri Rozgar Utsav and disburse financial assistance instalments to farmers.
The visit comes as part of Shah’s scheduled programmes in the state.
