New Delhi: India today paid homage to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his punya tithi (death anniversary). Leaders and citizens across the nation remembered the statesman, poet, and orator whose legacy continues to shape a developed and self-reliant India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India.”
The Prime Minister, along with President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers, and other dignitaries, visited ‘Sadaiv Atal,’ the memorial dedicated to the former Prime Minister in New Delhi, to offer floral tributes and pay their respects.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of the tallest leaders of Indian politics and a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. His political career spanned over five decades, during which he was elected to the Lok Sabha ten times and the Rajya Sabha twice. He holds the distinction of being the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full five-year term in office.
Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister, from 1998 to 2004, was marked by several landmark achievements that are integral to his enduring legacy. These include:
- Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests: In 1998, his government successfully conducted five underground nuclear tests, establishing India as a nuclear weapons state and bolstering its national security.
- Economic Reforms and Infrastructure: Vajpayee’s government expanded economic liberalization, encouraging the private sector and foreign investments. A key initiative was the National Highway Development Project, including the ambitious Golden Quadrilateral, which connected major metropolitan cities and revolutionized infrastructure.
- Diplomatic and Foreign Policy Initiatives: A statesman known for his diplomacy, he initiated peace talks with Pakistan, including the historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999. He also delivered a memorable speech to the United Nations General Assembly in Hindi in 1977 as India’s External Affairs Minister, a testament to his pride in Indian culture and languages.
- Good Governance: Vajpayee’s birthday, December 25, is celebrated as “Good Governance Day” in his honor, a tribute to his commitment to transparency and service.
Known for his exceptional oratory skills and ability to build consensus across the political spectrum, Vajpayee was respected by both allies and opponents. His vision of “Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jamuriyat” (Kashmir’s identity, humanity, and democracy) remains a significant reference point in discussions on the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
In recognition of his immense contributions to the nation, he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 2015. On his punya tithi, the nation remembers a leader who epitomized the spirit of public service and whose ideas continue to guide India’s journey towards progress and self-reliance.