Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not just an individual, he was a Vision – Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan
On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna, former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a grand program was organized by Gandhi Smriti at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi. On this occasion, a soulful performance of the musical drama ‘Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra’ was presented, which deeply moved the audience. A booklet titled ‘Main Atal Hoon’, based on Atal Ji’s life and thoughts, was distributed, and a special exhibition was also organized, showcasing inspiring glimpses of his public and private life.
The chief guest at the ceremony was the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan. Union Minister of State Shri Harsh Malhotra and Delhi Assembly Speaker Shri Vijender Gupta were guest of honour on this occasion. Shri Vijay Goel Vice Chairman GSDS presided over the programme.
Delivering the keynote address, the Vice President said that on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, we are remembering a great national leader who was not just a person, but an idea and an institution.
Reminiscing his days with Atal ji, Shri Radhakrishnan said that Atal ji served the country as a member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha, and his public life was guided by high moral values. Atal Ji believed that governance is meaningless without truth and compassion in the heart.
In honour of this larger sentiment, his birthday is celebrated as ‘Good Governance Day’. Atal Ji never worked for himself, but always for the nation. He was a great patriot who inspired the countrymen with his thoughts and simple personality and captivated large crowds with his speeches.
Shri Radhakrishnan addressed that Atal ji firmly believed in inclusive development, as adopted by progressive countries like America. He envisioned connecting every village with roads, and promoting small-scale industries. Historic tasks were accomplished, such as connecting settlements to cities, developing the national power grid, reforming public sector undertakings, and providing cooking gas to every corner of the country.
Shri C P Radhakrishnan also encouraged that good governance is not just the responsibility of the government alone, but the entire society and nation.
The chief organizer of the program, Vice Chairman of Gandhi Smriti and former Union Minister Shri Vijay Goel, expressed his gratitude to the guests. He said that he has been continuously organizing programs on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday for the past 25 years.
Vijay Goel said that Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of the country three times and that he himself was closely associated with Atal Ji from his youth to his tenure as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, and even today he remains committed to carrying forward his ideals.
Goel concluded that today the entire nation needs to follow principles of good governance with integrity which was Atal ji’s main principle.