Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “outstanding service” to the nation on his death anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led tributes to the former prime minister.
“Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation’s progress,” PM Modi tweeted along with posting nearly two-minute-long montage of old photos in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The video clip plays PM Modi’s voiceover along with photos and videos of Vajpayee taken during his long career in politics.
Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation’s progress. pic.twitter.com/ZF0H3vEPVd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2020
The voiceover in the video says, “This country will never forget Atal ji‘s sacrifice. Under his leadership India held its head high as a nuclear power. As a politician, a Member of Parliament, a minister or Prime Minister, Atal ji has performed very well in many roles. Many great things can be said about Atal ji‘s life, and no one aspect is lesser than the other. His speeches used to be talked about. In future if some expert analysed his speeches, the strength in his silence would turn out many times stronger than his speeches. In parliament also, he would only say a few words. People would get the message from his silence…”
Union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to Vajpayee.
“Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji was the voice of patriotism and Indian culture. He was a dedicated politician as well as a skilled organiser who played an important role in the expansion of the BJP after laying its foundation and inspired millions of workers to serve the country,” Shah said.
“I bow to former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his punyatithi. His tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India’s development will always be cherished. His vision for India will continue to inspire coming generations,” Rajnath Singh also tweeted.
Vajpayee served as India’s prime minister thrice – briefly in 1996, from 1998 to 1999 and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004. He was the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to become the prime minister.
Born on December 25, 1924, in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, Vajpayee was a prominent writer and had authored a number of poems. He served as Prime Minister thrice – briefly in 1996, from 1998 to 1999, and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004.
Vajpayee retired from active politics due to health related issues after resigning as the prime minister in 2004.
He died on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi after a prolonged illness.