Rashtra Prerna Sthal Inaugurated to Honour Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow on Thursday, marking the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The national memorial has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the life, ideals and legacy of Vajpayee and other key figures of Indian nationalism.
A National Memorial in the Heart of Lucknow
Spread across 65 acres in the Vasant Kunj area of Lucknow, the Rashtra Prerna Sthal features towering bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya. Each statue stands 65 feet tall and symbolises the ideals, philosophy and contribution of these leaders to India’s political and social thought.
Leadership Presence and Tributes
The Prime Minister paid floral tributes to the three national icons at the memorial. He was accompanied by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers and other senior leaders. The occasion highlighted the collective commitment to honouring the legacy of selfless leadership and nationalism.
Lotus-Shaped Museum and National Journey
Adjacent to the memorial is a state-of-the-art museum designed in the form of a lotus, spread over nearly 98,000 square feet. The Prime Minister visited the museum, which showcases India’s national journey and the seminal contributions of the three leaders through immersive digital displays and modern exhibition technologies. The museum aims to offer visitors an educational and engaging understanding of leadership, governance and nation-building.
Imporatnt Facts for Exams
- Rashtra Prerna Sthal is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- The memorial features 65-foot-tall bronze statues of three national leaders.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2015.
- The lotus-shaped museum uses digital and immersive technologies.
Legacy of Vajpayee and Ideals of Governance
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi paid tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary, describing him as an eloquent orator, a spirited poet and a statesman devoted to good governance and nation-building. He stated that Vajpayee’s personality, leadership and ideals would continue to guide India’s all-round development, reinforcing the enduring relevance of his vision in contemporary public life.