New Delhi, August 16(HS): The nation today united in solemn remembrance of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, as President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a host of senior leaders paid homage at his memorial, ‘Sadaiv Atal’, in the capital.

The early morning gathering at Vajpayee’s resting place — overlooking the Yamuna, serene yet charged with reverence — saw floral tributes and moments of silence, as leaders across political lines recalled the life and legacy of the man often remembered as India’s poet-statesman.

President’s Tribute

President Murmu, offering flowers at the memorial, stood in quiet reflection before calling Vajpayee “a towering leader whose vision continues to illuminate India’s democratic and developmental journey.” Her gesture, dignified and understated, symbolized the gratitude of the Republic to one of its most respected statesmen.

Prime Minister Modi’s Homage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message highlighted Vajpayee’s timeless vision, writing on X:

“On behalf of every Indian, I bow to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his death anniversary. His lifelong commitment to India’s progress and his dream of a developed, self-reliant Bharat continues to inspire us all.”

Later, addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remembered Vajpayee as “a leader who infused politics with poetry, governance with vision, and nationalism with humanity.”

National Leaders Recall His Legacy

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Vajpayee’s contribution “eternal,” stating, “He worked tirelessly for a strong and prosperous India. Generations will remember his leadership.”

BJP President J.P. Nadda described him as “an eternal source of inspiration, the embodiment of good governance, and a statesman who devoted every ounce of his being to nation-building.”

Home Minister Amit Shah paid a more personal tribute, writing that Vajpayee “redefined Indian politics with values at the centre. He rejected power at the cost of principles, led India through defining moments like the Pokhran-II nuclear tests and Kargil War, and will forever remain a guiding force in our national life.”

Gathering of Leaders and Citizens

Alongside the top leadership of the nation, the occasion also witnessed the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, JDU leader Sanjay Jha, and many others. Vajpayee’s foster daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, offered a deeply personal tribute, laying flowers in silence.

Citizens, admirers, and BJP karyakartas streamed into the memorial through the day, transforming it into a site not only of tribute but of collective memory — where statesmanship, sacrifice, and service are celebrated.

Vajpayee’s Timeless Legacy

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who served as Prime Minister three times, left behind far-reaching legacies that have shaped modern India: the Golden Quadrilateral highway project, the Pokhran-II nuclear tests that asserted India’s strategic strength, and bold economic reforms that pushed India onto the path of liberalization.

Equally, his poetry, oratory, and instinct for consensus-building set him apart in public life, making him not just a national leader but a rare bridge-builder in a polarized political era.

A Promise Renewed

As the sun rose over the ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial, the silence was heavy yet inspiring. Leaders across the spectrum reaffirmed Vajpayee’s ideals — of progress without division, nationalism tempered with humanity, and politics enriched by principle — as the guiding lights for India’s journey ahead.

Today’s tributes underlined one message loud and clear: Atal ji may have departed, but his vision remains eternally woven into the nation’s conscience.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar