PM Modi remembers Atal Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, says he stands tall as a statesman

On the occasion of Good Governance Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, hailing him as the architect of the transition of India towards the 21st century. The tribute included a detailed article by the Prime Minister reflecting on Vajpayee's political journey, his transformative leadership and his indelible contributions to India's development.

Speaking to X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his respect for the late leader, calling him a guiding force for India's progress.

“Respectful tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his 100th birth anniversary. He dedicated his life to building a strong, prosperous and self-reliant India. His vision and mission will continue to strengthen the resolve for a developed India,” he writes.

In another post, the prime minister praised Vajpayee's leadership during a period of political instability in 1998, when he took over as prime minister.

“When he was sworn in as Prime Minister in 1998, our country had gone through a period of political instability. In about nine years, we witnessed four Lok Sabha elections. The people of India were becoming impatient and skeptical about the ability of governments to keep their promises. It was Atal Ji who reversed this trend by ensuring stable and effective governance.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted Vajpayee's foresight and governance, which ushered in stability and efficiency at a time when the nation had endured multiple elections and uncertainty.

Vajpayee's tenure marked a turning point for India's infrastructure and technological progress, the Prime Minister noted. Initiatives such as the Golden Quadrilateral project, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the preparatory works of the Delhi Metro have been milestones that have brought India closer together while boosting economic growth.

Prime Minister Modi praised the Vajpayee government for making technology accessible to common citizens, paving the way for the IT and telecom revolution in the country.

Reflecting on Vajpayee's historic contributions to national security, Prime Minister Modi recalled the nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran in 1998 under his leadership.

Despite international sanctions, Vajpayee remained steadfast, asserting India's right to safeguard its sovereignty while promoting peace on the global stage.

He also highlighted Vajpayee's unprecedented role in strengthening Indian democracy, both as leader of the opposition and head of the first NDA government.

“His parliamentary genius was evident throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MLAs, but his words were enough to shake the might of the all-powerful Congress party at the time.”

He praised Vajpayee's ability to bring together various parties under the NDA umbrella, redefining coalition politics and focusing on development and national progress.

Vajpayee's commitment to the Constitution and his deep pride in Indian culture have been evident throughout his career, he said. Prime Minister Modi highlighted how Vajpayee, as India's foreign minister, became the first Indian leader to address the United Nations in Hindi, symbolizing his pride in the nation's heritage.

The Prime Minister also spoke of Vajpayee's literary genius, calling him a prolific poet and writer whose words continue to inspire millions. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Vajpayee and praised his role in promoting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during its formative years.

“Atal Ji's life is a testimony to his unwavering commitment to India's progress. His legacy continues to inspire countless people and his vision remains a beacon for our nation,” he said.

PM VISITS 'SADAIV ATAL' MEMORIAL IN DELHI

Prime Minister Modi visited the Sadaiv Atal memorial in Delhi and paid floral tributes to the former Prime Minister. President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, JP Nadda and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also paid floral tributes to Atal Vajpayee, along with several videos posted online.

Atal Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya was also present at the memorial and was seen paying floral tribute to the late leader.

Set