Atal Bihari Vajpayee Remembered On 8th Death Anniversary As Nation Pays Tribute To Former PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the nation in remembering former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his eighth death anniversary, hailing the BJP veteran as an “extraordinary statesman” whose vision, leadership and commitment to public service continue to inspire generations.

Modi, along with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, paid floral tributes to Vajpayee at his memorial Sadaiv Atal on the banks of the Yamuna. A solemn prayer meeting was also held at the memorial.

“Remembering Atal Ji on his ‘Punya Tithi’,” Modi said in a post on X, describing Vajpayee as a leader blessed with “remarkable vision” who dedicated his life to serving the nation. He said Vajpayee’s words and efforts had inspired generations, while his emphasis on good governance and public welfare would continue to guide the country.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and BJP president Nitin Nabin were among those who attended the tribute programme.

Across states, leaders cutting across political lines also remembered Vajpayee. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described him as a towering figure of nationalism, democratic values and ideal politics. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal also paid tribute, recalling Vajpayee as a leader respected beyond party lines.

Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Vajpayee died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. A gifted parliamentarian, poet and orator, he served as prime minister three times — briefly in 1996, again from 1998 to 1999, and finally from 1999 to 2004.

His tenure marked several defining moments in India’s modern history. The Pokhran-II nuclear tests in May 1998 established India as a declared nuclear power, even as the country faced international sanctions. His government also pushed landmark infrastructure programmes, including the Golden Quadrilateral and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Vajpayee’s efforts to improve ties with Pakistan, including the Lahore bus diplomacy, reflected his belief that national strength and dialogue could go hand in hand. His ability to hold together a diverse NDA coalition also cemented his reputation as one of India’s most influential coalition-era leaders.

In 2015, Vajpayee was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour.