Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid a heartfelt floral tribute to the statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow on Thursday. The gesture coincided with Vajpayee's 101st birth anniversary and came just hours before the scheduled inauguration of the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A Tribute on a Special Anniversary
The ceremony took place at Lok Bhawan in the state capital. Chief Minister Adityanath emphasized the significance of the day, marking the birth centenary celebrations of the revered leader. He noted that Vajpayee, who represented Uttar Pradesh in Parliament for the longest duration, is being honored with great enthusiasm across the nation.
Educational and training institutions nationwide have been hosting programs focused on Vajpayee's poetry, writings, and landmark parliamentary speeches, keeping his legacy alive for new generations.
The Vision Behind Rashtriya Prerna Sthal
Explaining the rationale for the new memorial, Adityanath stated that the 'double-engine government' constructed the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal to preserve Atal Ji's memories and provide continuity to his ideology. The site is designed as a source of national inspiration.
The Sthal features imposing 65-foot statues of three key ideological figures: Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It also includes a digital museum to educate visitors.
Symbolism of the Statues
Adityanath elaborated on the message each statue conveys. The statue of Syama Prasad Mukherjee is intended to symbolize national unity and integrity. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's likeness represents his vision of 'Antyodaya' or the upliftment of the last person in the queue. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's statue is meant to guide the path towards furthering the 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat' campaign.
Honoring Other Luminaries
Alongside Vajpayee, the Chief Minister also spoke about the contributions of Madan Mohan Malaviya and Maharaja Bijli Pasi, whose birth anniversaries also fall on the same day. This underscores the event's connection to a broader legacy of leadership and service.
The inauguration of the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal by Prime Minister Modi marks a significant moment, transforming the site into a permanent center for drawing inspiration from the lives and philosophies of these foundational figures.
