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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh to honour the life and ideals of Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 25 December 2025. Speaking on the occasion marking Shri Vajpayee’s 101st Birth Anniversary, the Prime Minister remarked that today the land of Lucknow is becoming a witness to a new inspiration.
Noteworthy, the Rashtra Prerna Sthal has been developed as a landmark national memorial and inspirational complex of enduring national significance. Constructed at an approximate cost of Rs. 230 crore and spread across an expansive area of 65 acres. The complex features 65-feet-high bronze statues of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, symbolising their seminal contributions to India’s political thought, nation-building, and public life. It also houses a state-of-the-art museum designed in the form of a lotus-shaped structure, spread over approximately 98,000 square feet.
Shri Narendra Modi remarked that a short while ago he had the privilege of inaugurating the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, which symbolizes the vision that showed India the path of self-respect, unity, and service. He highlighted that the grand statues of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay ji, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji stand tall, yet the inspiration they provide is even greater. Quoting lines of Atal ji, the Prime Minister emphasized that this Rashtra Prerna Sthal gives the message that every step, every effort must be dedicated to nation-building, and that collective effort alone will fulfill the resolve of a developed India. He extended congratulations to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and the entire nation on this modern
Atalji’s resolve to place the nation’s interest above all serve as an ideal standard for Indian politics: PM Modi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes at ‘Sadaiv Atal’, the memorial site of former Prime Minister ‘Bharat Ratna’ Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, on his Jayanti on 25 December 2025. Shri Modi said Atal ji’s life was dedicated to public service and national service and he will always continue to inspire the people of the country.
In a social media post the PM said, “The Jayanti of the esteemed Atal Ji is a special occasion for all of us to draw inspiration from his life. His conduct, dignity, ideological steadfastness, and resolve to place the nation’s interest above all serve as an ideal standard for Indian politics. Throughout his life, he demonstrated that excellence is established not by position but by conduct, and it is that which guides society.
On this occasion, I am sharing this subhashita, which defines one aspect of his life:
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥
inspiration site. He noted that the land on which this Prerna Sthal has been built had, for decades, accumulated a mountain of garbage spread over more than 30 acres, which has been completely cleared in the last three years. The Prime Minister congratulated all the workers, artisans, planners associated with the project, and conveyed special appreciation to the Chief Minister and his entire team for their efforts.
Underlining that Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee played a decisive role in giving direction to the nation, the Prime Minister remarked that it was Dr. Mookerjee who rejected the provision of two constitutions, two emblems, and two prime ministers in India. He emphasized that even after independence, the arrangement in Jammu and
Kashmir posed a major challenge to India’s integrity. Shri Modi stated with pride that it was their government that had the opportunity to bring down the wall of Article 370, and today the Constitution of India is fully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister further recalled that as the first Industry Minister of independent
India, Dr. Mookerjee laid the foundation of economic self-reliance and gave the country its first industrial policy, thereby establishing the basis of industrialization in India. He remarked that today the same mantra of self-reliance is being taken to new heights, with Made in India products reaching across the world. Shri Modi pointed out that in Uttar Pradesh itself, a massive campaign of One District One Product is underway, strengthening small industries and small units. He further highlighted that alongside this, a major defense corridor is being built in Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister noted that the BrahMos missile, whose power the world witnessed during Operation Sindoor, is now being manufactured in Lucknow. He emphasized that the day is not far when the defense corridor of Uttar Pradesh will be recognized globally for defense manufacturing.
Underscoring that decades ago Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay ji envisioned the dream of Antyodaya, the Prime Minister remarked that Deendayal ji believed India’s progress should be measured by the smile on the face of the last person in the queue. He emphasized that Deendayal ji spoke of Integral Humanism, where the body, mind, intellect, and soul all develop together. Shri Modi further stated that Deendayal ji’s dream has been adopted as his own resolve, and that Antyodaya has now been given a new dimension of saturation, meaning every needy person and every beneficiary is brought under the ambit of government welfare schemes. The Prime Minister underlined that when the spirit of saturation exists, there is no discrimination, and this is true good governance, true social justice, and true secularism. He remarked that today, millions of citizens of the country, without discrimination, are receiving for the first time pucca houses, toilets, tap water, electricity, and gas connections. He further highlighted that millions are receiving free ration and free medical treatment for the first time. The Prime Minister stressed that when efforts are made to reach the last person standing in the line, justice is being done to the vision of Pandit Deendayal ji.
The Prime Minister remarked that the birth anniversary of Atal ji is also a day to celebrate good governance. He highlighted that for a long time, slogans like poverty eradication were considered governance, but Atal ji truly brought good governance to the ground. Shri Modi emphasized that while today there is much discussion about digital identity, it was Atal ji’s government that laid its foundation. He noted that the special card initiative started at that time has today become world-renowned as Aadhaar. The Prime Minister further stated that the credit for accelerating the telecom revolution in India also goes to Atal ji. He highlighted that the telecom policy framed by his government made it easier to bring phones and internet to every household, and today India is among the countries with the highest number of mobile and internet users in the world.
Shri Modi remarked that Atal ji would be pleased that in the past 11 years India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. He highlighted that Uttar Pradesh, the state from which Atal ji served as a Member of Parliament, is today the number one mobile manufacturing state in India.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Atal ji’s vision for connectivity gave early strength to 21st century India. He recalled that it was during Atal ji’s government that the campaign to connect villages with roads was launched, and the work on the Golden Quadrilateral highway expansion began.
Shri Modi further pointed out that since the year 2000, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, nearly 8 lakh kilometers of rural roads have been built, of which about 4 lakh kilometers were constructed in the last 10–11 years. He noted that today expressways are being built at unprecedented speed across the country, and Uttar Pradesh is establishing its identity as an expressway state. The Prime Minister further highlighted that it was Atal ji who initiated the Delhi Metro, and today metro networks in more than 20 cities across the country are making life easier for millions of people. He remarked that the legacy of good governance created by their government is now being expanded and given new dimensions by their governments at the Centre and in the states.
Highlighting that the inspiration of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay ji, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, along with their visionary work and grand statues, form a strong foundation for a developed India, Shri Modi remarked that these statues today are filling the nation with new energy. He emphasized that it must not be forgotten how, after independence, there emerged a tendency to link
Atal ji’s visionary leadership set a benchmark for governance: Rajnath Singh
On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, the Shradheya Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, I pay my respects and offer my tributes. His life was a symbol of selfless service to the nation, unwavering democratic values, and the finest traditions of good governance.Atal ji’s visionary leadership set a benchmark for governance rooted in accountability, transparency, and inclusive development—principles that continue to guide India even today.
Atal Ji remains a towering and unforgettable figure in Indian politics Amit Shah
On the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, BJP founder, and Bharat Ratna, Shradheya Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I pay my respects on behalf of a grateful nation.From the very inception of the BJP, Atal Ji provided Indian politics with a credible alternative rooted in national interest and cultural nationalism. Whether it was making India a nuclear power or institutionalising good governance, under his leadership the NDA government presented the nation with a model of governance that advanced heritage and science simultaneously. Atal Ji remains a towering and unforgettable figure in Indian politics—a true embodiment of public service and organisational strength.
every good work in India to a single family—whether books, government schemes, institutions, streets, or squares, all were associated with the glorification of one family, their names, and their statues. He stated that their party has freed the country from this old practice of being held hostage to one family. The Prime Minister underlined that his government is honoring every immortal child of Mother India and every contribution made in service of the nation. He gave examples, noting that today the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose stands proudly at Kartavya Path in Delhi, and the island in Andaman where Netaji hoisted the tricolor has now been named after him.
Underscoring that their governments at the Union and State have greatly benefited Uttar Pradesh, which is carving out a distinct identity in 21st century India, The Prime Minister, himself a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, expressed pride in saying that the hardworking people of the state are writing a new future. He recalled that once Uttar Pradesh was discussed in terms of poor law and order, but today it is discussed for development. Highlighting that Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging on the country’s tourism map, with the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham becoming symbols of the state’s new identity in the world, the Prime Minister noted that modern constructions like the Rashtra Prerna Sthal further brighten the new image of Uttar Pradesh.
The Prime Minister concluded with the wish that Uttar Pradesh continues to achieve greater heights as a model of good governance, prosperity, and true social justice, and once again extended congratulations on the Rashtra Prerna Sthal.
Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Union Ministers, Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary were present among others at the event.