National Inspiration Site Will keep Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Memories Alive: CM Yogi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Lucknow to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth centenary, inaugurate the National Inspiration Site and Rashtra Prerna Sthal, and address a public gathering, with broader political discussions in Uttar Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Lucknow on 25 December to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 101st birth anniversary, inaugurate the new Rashtra Prerna Sthal, and address a public gathering, as tributes pour in and political debate sharpens in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the official schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the Uttar Pradesh capital and, at around 2:30 PM, will formally inaugurate Rashtra Prerna Sthal before speaking at a public event organised for the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth centenary events and Rashtra Prerna Sthal details

Rashtra Prerna Sthal has been planned as a national memorial and inspiration centre, built at an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore on about 65 acres. Officials state that the complex aims to encourage leadership, national service, cultural awareness, and public motivation for visitors from across India.

The site includes 65-feet-high bronze statues of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, representing their roles in political thought and public life. A museum in a lotus-shaped structure, spread over roughly 98,000 square feet, highlights Vajpayee's journey and ideas.

Driven by what officials describe as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to honour important figures of independent India, Rashtra Prerna Sthal is intended as a long-term tribute to Vajpayee's life, principles, and influence on India's democratic, political, and development path after Independence.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth centenary tributes by Yogi Adityanath

Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the birth anniversary, calling Vajpayee a visionary who represented Uttar Pradesh in Parliament several times and consistently pushed for national development, while also stressing that the ongoing year holds special importance for the country.

During the address, Yogi Adityanath underlined Vajpayee's role in Indian politics and said the country is celebrating the birth centenary with wide-ranging programmes. These include poetry recitations, discussions on Vajpayee's literary work, and events that revisit Vajpayee's speeches in Parliament and on global forums.

"He represented the state in the country's Parliament many times. He worked to lead the nation forward with a new vision of development. This year is special. The birth centenary celebrations of Atal Bihari Vajpayee are being held across the country with great enthusiasm, including recitations of Atal Ji's poems, debates on his writings, and his important speeches in Parliament and on international platforms." he said.

Yogi Adityanath said that the state and central governments together are working to preserve Vajpayee's legacy in a lasting way. The Chief Minister referred to multiple ongoing initiatives that seek to keep Vajpayee's political thoughts and cultural vision in public memory for future generations.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth centenary and National Inspiration Site in Lucknow

Describing one major step, Yogi Adityanath referred to a new project in Lucknow. "On the occasion of his birth centenary, the double-engine government has constructed a National Inspiration Site in Lucknow to keep Atal Ji's memories alive and to ensure the continuity of his ideas. Today, this site will be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi." he added.

The National Inspiration Site in Lucknow is presented by the state government as part of the broader network of memorials linked with Rashtra Prerna Sthal, aiming to connect Vajpayee's thoughts, speeches, and writings with citizens and especially younger people visiting these locations.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth centenary backdrop to Yogi Adityanath’s Opposition attack

Amid the tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and preparations for the Rashtra Prerna Sthal event, Yogi Adityanath launched a strong attack on the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, accusing rival parties of "selective outrage" on international issues and of indulging in appeasement politics.

The Chief Minister referred to the killing of a youth in Bangladesh and alleged that Opposition members raise their voices over some foreign incidents but stay quiet when violence targets Hindus in neighbouring countries, describing this as a pattern shaped by domestic political considerations.

"You people shed tears over everything that happens in the Gaza Strip, but not a single word comes out of your mouths when a Dalit youth was killed in Bangladesh," the Chief Minister said.

Yogi Adityanath further alleged that the Opposition uses sensitive developments mainly for "vote bank and appeasement politics". The Chief Minister argued that protests and marches are highlighted when they suit party interests, while attacks on Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh are ignored.

The Chief Minister said if Pakistan and Bangladesh had not been created, incidents against Hindus would not have taken place. "You hold candle marches over Gaza, but when a Hindu is killed in Pakistan or Bangladesh, your mouths are shut because the victim is a Hindu, a Dalit," he said.

With inputs from ANI

Calling for a formal response from the House, Yogi Adityanath said that the Assembly should adopt a clear stand. "A condemnation resolution should come from the Leader of the Opposition. We condemn this incident and warn the Bangladesh government," he stated, urging a united message from all parties.

With Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth centenary events unfolding nationwide, the inauguration of Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, and the National Inspiration Site dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tributes to Vajpayee's legacy are proceeding alongside sharper political exchanges between Yogi Adityanath and the Opposition inside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.