largely ignored by his own party, Congress leader and late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao has finally got a memorial in his name. The memorial ghat, which has come up at Ekta Sthal Samadhi Complex in the capital, was declared ready by the Government on Sunday that coincided with the late leader’s birth anniversary.
Rao, who headed the Congress Government between 1991 and 1996, was disowned by his party. After his death in 2004, the Congress-led UPA Government denied any memorial to him, citing paucity of space.
Union Urban Development Minister Venakaiah Naidu had first moved a proposal for building a memorial ghat for the former Prime Minister at the Ekta Sthal Complex. The complex is now integrated with Rashtriya Smriti, a common place for erecting memorials to former Presidents, Prime Ministers and others.
The memorial is raised on a plinth in marble with a plaque honouring him as an “architect of vibrant India.” The work on memorial is complete except ‘jali’ (carving) work which is being executed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
“Naidu had visited the site on June 15 and asked the CPWD to complete the works relating to the memorial ghat ahead of former Prime Minister’s birth anniversary. It has been complied with except ‘jali’ work around the memorial,” the statement added.
The text on the plaque describes Rao as the scholar Prime Minister, reformer, educationist, conversant in 15 languages who fought the misrule of the Nizam during the formulative years of his political career. Known for his intellectual contribution, he was called the ‘Brihaspati’ (wiseman) of the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet between 1962 and 1971.
“As a minister in the Union Cabinet from 1980-1989, he held various portfolios and brought in lasting changes in them. As the Prime Minister of India, he ushered in economic reforms and laid the foundations for a strong and vibrant economy in India. PV Narasimha Rao died on 23rd December 2004, leaving behind a lasting legacy. He is fondly remembered as the architect of vibrant India,” it says.
Ekta Sthal Samadhi Complex can accommodate nine such small memorials. Already six spots in that site have been utilised for former Presidents and Prime Ministers — Shankar Dayal Sharma, KR Narayanan, R Venkatraman, Giani Zail Singh, Chandrasekhar and IK Gujral.