PM Modi Inaugurates Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow to honour Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: PM Modi inaugurated Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow to honour the life and ideals of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During the occasion, PM Modi also addressed the public gathering in Lucknow.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi extended Christmas greetings to the country. He also spoke about Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya and called them two great men who protected India's identity, unity, and pride. He said, ''Today, the land of Lucknow is witnessing a new inspiration. I extend Christmas greetings to the country and the world. Millions of Christian families in India are celebrating the festival today. We all wish that the spirit of Christmas brings happiness into everyone’s life... December 25th also brings with it the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversaries of two great personalities of the country: Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bharat Ratna Madan Mohan Malaviya.''

He added, ''These two great men protected India's identity, unity, and pride and left an indelible mark on nation-building. December 25th is also the birth anniversary of Maharaja Bijli Pasi... It is also a coincidence that Atal Ji himself issued a postage stamp in honour of Maharaja Bijli Pasi in the year 2000. On this auspicious day, I respectfully pay my tributes to Malaviya Ji, Atal Ji, and Maharaja Bijli Pasi..."

Speaking about the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, PM Modi said, "... Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had united our country, but after independence, his work and his stature were tried to diminish. It was the BJP who gave Sardar Patel the respect he deserved. The BJP made Sardar Patel the tallest statue in the world. Every year on the 31st of October, the country organises the National Unity Day. In our country, even the contribution of the tribals was not given due respect for decades... The politics of pariwarvaad has a special identity. It is full of insecurity. That is why, for pariwaarvaadis, it becomes compulsory to shorten the lines of others so that the status of their family can be seen and their shop can continue to operate..."