On Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary, PM Modi inaugurates 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial

As the nation remembers former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary, a memorial was dedicated to the country today at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial today.

According to reports, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other eminent personalities attended a prayer meeting at the memorial, Sadaiv Atal, near Rajghat.

Developed by Atal Smriti Nyas Society, 'Sadaiv Atal' was constructed by the Centre Public Works Department (CPWD) at a cost of Rs. 10.51 crore. The project was funded by the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, news agency PTI reported.

Spread over 1.5 acres of land at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, the memorial is enclosed by nine bas-relief walls which have inscriptions of Vajpayee's poetic gems. Rashtriya Smriti Sthal is the place where the former prime minister was cremated on August 17.

On the eve of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday released a Rs 100 commemorative coin in the memory of the former premier.

Vajpayee's long-time associate and BJP veteran L K Advani, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah were also present at the event here.

Vajpayee's birth anniversary is also observed as Good Governance Day by the Centre. On the occasion, PM Modi will inaugurate India's longest rail-road bridge in Assam today. 

The former prime minister had passed away at AIIMS after prolonged illness on August 16. He was cremated on August 17 with full state honours.

(With inputs from PTI)