ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE/FILE IMAGE
President Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary. The leaders arrived at Sadaiv Atal, the memorial of Vajpayee, on Sunday morning. Vajpayee, the first BJP prime minister, had passed away on this day in 2018.
"Tributes to beloved Atal ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation's progress," the prime minister tweeted.
He also posted a nearly two-minute-long montage of old photos in memory of the stalwart. "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," prime minister can be heard saying in the video.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among those who paid their respects to the late leader at the memorial.
"I pay homage to the great speaker of our generation, 'Ajatashatru', bearer of liberal democratic values, nationalist poet, skilled administrator, and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary," Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said in a tweet.
