President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who joined a prayer ceremony at the memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday to pay tributes to him on his birth centenary.
Union ministers, including Amit Shah and J P Nadda, besides BJP allies such as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union ministers Lalan Singh of the JD(U) and Jitam Ram Manjhi of HAM(S) paid homage to the BJP stalwart at 'Sadaiv Atal'.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla besides the members of Vajpayee's adopted family were also present.
Prime Minister Modi said in a social media post the impact of how Vajpayee preserved constitutional values and gave new direction and momentum to the country will remain forever.
Union Home Minister Shah in his tributes said his dedication towards good governance and public welfare will continue to guide future generations.
After paying tributes to Vajpayee at his memorial, 'Sadaiv Atal', here, Shah said Vajpayee ushered in a new era of development and good governance in the country with his dedication towards ideology and value-based politics. "Atal ji's dedication towards good governance and public welfare will continue to guide future generations," the minister said in a social media post in Hindi.
He said Vajpayee made cultural nationalism a work culture and always kept the country's security and public welfare paramount. "Atal ji will continue to guide the countrymen on the path of national service till eternity like the Pole Star," Shah said.
In his tributes, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the former Prime Minister's principles and teachings have inspired the building of a robust economy for this nation.
Singh said in a social media post "Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji has been a pivotal figure in shaping India's diplomacy and national security, while continuing to serve as a source of guidance and wisdom to all of us..
"His principles and teachings have inspired the building of a robust economy for this nation, serving as an enduring source of motivation for the generations to come" Singh added..
Singh in another post also extended his greetings on the occasion of Good Governance Day.
He said "This day, observed in honour of the birth anniversary of former PM and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, reminds us of the importance of transparent, accountable, and people-centric governance. Let us reaffirm our dedication to building a state where governance empowers every citizen and paves the way for a brighter future."
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his predecessor and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday paid tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Odisha government's Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department, in a message, termed Vajpayee as 'Vikas Purush' and said the state scaled new heights under his leadership.
The government recounted some major developmental projects, including the establishment of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, an oil refinery at Paradip and creation of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) division with its headquarters in Bhubaneswar, undertaken during the tenure of the former Prime Minister.
The construction of 400 km of highways in Odisha under the Golden Quadrilateral project, and road network of more than 18,000 km (PMSY) to connect the unconnected stand testament to the eponym 'Vikas Purush', it said.
On the occasion of Good Governance Day, the people of Odisha pay heartfelt tribute to Vajpayee, the architect of administrative excellence, it added.
In a social media, Chief Minister Majhi paid tributes to the former prime minister and extended heartiest congratulations and best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Good Governance Day.
Several senior political leaders from Odisha, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, and state BJP president Manmohan Samal paid respects to Vajpayee on his birth centenary.
"Humble tributes to former Prime Minister of India, #AtalBihariVajpayee on his birth anniversary. #Atal ji was a distinguished statesman, outstanding parliamentarian, a renowned poet and orator. His contribution to the nation building will continue to inspire," former chief minister Naveen Patnaik wrote in a social media post.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee's good governance and foresight gave India a new direction in the field of roads, telecom and rural development.
Elaborating on the definition of good governance, Rajnath Singh said it is one where every person's needs are fulfilled, he feels safe and has the opportunity to express his views.
"This was Atal ji's vision, which is being carried forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today," Singh said addressing the birth centenary celebrations of Vajpayee with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.
The leaders paid floral tributes to the statue of the former prime minister in Lok Bhavan. Vajpayee's birth anniversary is observed as 'Good Governance' Day.
The defence minister also praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the issue of law and order and the implementation of welfare schemes.
