PM Modi Leads Nation in Paying Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Death Anniversary

August 16, 2025 MTIMES 126 Views Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India, Indian politics news, PM Modi tribute, Sadaiv Atal, Vajpayee Death Anniversary 3 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at ‘Sadaiv Atal’, the memorial dedicated to the Bharat Ratna recipient. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said Vajpayee’s commitment to India’s development continues to inspire the nation in its journey toward becoming developed and self-reliant.

Union ministers JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also visited the memorial to pay their respects. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recalled Vajpayee’s lifelong dedication to building a strong and prosperous India and noted that the country will always remember his contributions.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee death anniversary 2025: Leaders Recall Statesman’s Legacy and Contributions

In a post shared on X, PM Modi stated that Vajpayee’s dedication to India’s development continues to inspire consistent efforts towards building a strong, self-reliant and progressive nation.

“On Atal Ji’s Punya Tithi, we remember his unwavering commitment and lifelong service for the progress of India. His devotion and spirit of service remain an inspiration for all of us in the journey to create a developed and self-reliant India,” the Prime Minister wrote on X. Union Ministers JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, also visited ‘Sadaiv Atal’ to pay their respects to the late leader.

सभी देशवासियों की ओर से पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री भारत रत्न अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर सादर नमन। राष्ट्र के चौतरफा विकास को लेकर उनका समर्पण और सेवा भाव विकसित और आत्मनिर्भर भारत के निर्माण में योगदान के लिए हर किसी को प्रेरित करने वाला है।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also offered his homage, recalling Vajpayee’s consistent efforts to build a strong and prosperous India. “I pay tribute to Atalji on his punyatithi. He devoted his entire life to the mission of strengthening India, and the nation will always remember his enormous contribution,” Singh said on X.

I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2025

Leaders Recall Atal Bihari Vajpayee legacy and Commitment to Self-Reliant India

According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, the central platform at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ consists of nine square black polished granite stone blocks crowned with a central ‘Diya’. The number nine symbolises the Navarasas, Navaratras and Navagrahas. The memorial is surrounded by nine bas-relief walls featuring Vajpayee’s prose and poetry, which can be read while taking a circular walk (pradakshina).

The Atal Smriti Nyas Society, formed by distinguished personalities, initiated the development of the memorial. Stones gathered from different parts of India were used in its construction as a symbol of “unity in diversity”. The Central Public Works Department executed the project, while the entire cost was borne by the Atal Smriti Nyas Society.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), was elected Prime Minister three times and was the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term in office. He served briefly from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and later from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. In addition, Vajpayee served as India’s External Affairs Minister from 1977 to 1979. The veteran leader, poet, and statesman passed away at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi on August 16, 2018.

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