PNS | DEHRADUN
The governor of Himachal Pradesh Shiv Pratap Shukla and Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled the statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lekhak village of Thano, Dehradun district on the occasion of his birth centenary on Wednesday. They also inaugurated the Nalanda Library and Research Centre along with former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and noted journalist Rajat Sharma.
In the event, Shukla praised the unveiling of Vajpayee’s statue and the organisation of a lecture series in his memory, calling it a commendable initiative. He emphasised that such events will serve to educate future generations about Vajpayee’s invaluable contributions across various fields for the nation. Shukla stated that Vajpayee was a man of exceptional personality and the works initiated by him for the nation are being carried forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He further mentioned that Vajpayee was the first PM to deliver a speech in Hindi at the United Nations and expressed hope that the lecture series in Lekhak Village will offer insights into the many facets of his life.
Dhami also spoke of Vajpayee’s significant role as a poet, orator and visionary leader, whose actions, thoughts, and foresight always steered the country in new directions. He acknowledged Vajpayee’s dedication to ensuring equality and social harmony in the country and pointed out that it was under Vajpayee’s leadership that the state of Uttarakhand was formed, turning the dreams of many into reality. He stated that the establishment of Lekhak Village as a platform for promoting patriotism, literature and education was a serious effort to carry forward Vajpayee’s legacy. The village, with its serene atmosphere and natural beauty, has become an inspiration for literature and art enthusiasts. Dhami also thanked ‘Nishank’ for his contributions to the development of the village and described it as a space where the echoes of the past, the energy of the present and the possibilities of the future converge.
Nishank also acknowledged that the idea for Lekhak Village was inspired by Vajpayee’s deep connection with literature and writers. He shared that Vajpayee always envisioned works for the welfare of those in the literary field. During the event, noted journalist Rajat Sharma also shared numerous personal anecdotes from Vajpayee’s life, enriching the audience with his memories of the late leader.
