Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the late Shankar Dayal Sharma was a true nationalist and pride of the nation. Through his wisdom and commitment, he brightened up the image of Madhya Pradesh in the country and abroad. Chouhan was paying tributes to the former President at a programme at local Retghat Crossing marking his birth anniversary, on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister said that the late Sharma was the son of Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh. His role in development of the country as a Central Minister and President was important. Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, MP Alok Sanjar, MlA Rameshwar Sharma, Municipal Corporation's Chairman Kailash Mishra and others were present on the occasion. Earlier in the day, his 96th birth anniversary was observed at Samadhi Sthal 'Karma Bhoomi' near Shanti Van in New Delhi on Tuesday.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former Deputy Prime Minister lK Advani, former lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Motilal Vora paid floral tributes. lal Singh Arya, Minister of State for General Administration Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and other dignitaries present on the occasion also paid their floral tributes. Vimla Sharma, wife of the late Shankar Dayal Sharma, and his son Ashutosh Dayal Sharma were also present. Special Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh Government Swarnmala Rawla and Resident Commissioner RK Chaturvedi were also present on the occasion.