PM Modi inaugurates Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow; Pays tribute to Atal, Mukherjee, Deendayal

Lucknow: Marking Good Governance Day and the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, transforming December 25 into a moment of ideological remembrance and political messaging.

The newly opened national memorial, featuring towering 65-foot statues of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was described by the Prime Minister as a space dedicated to nationalism, public service, and unwavering commitment to the nation.

Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi said Lucknow was witnessing the birth of a new symbol of inspiration. He highlighted the rare coincidence of December 25 marking the birth anniversaries of two Bharat Ratna awardees — Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malviya — calling their contributions to nation-building “unmatched and timeless”.

Reflecting on Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s legacy, the Prime Minister said his vision of “one nation, one law” laid the ideological groundwork for decisions taken decades later. He linked the abrogation of Article 370 to Mukherjee’s long-standing campaign for national unity, calling it a decisive step towards integration.

PM Modi also spotlighted Lucknow’s emerging role in India’s defence ecosystem, noting that BrahMos missile production and the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor would propel the city into a new phase of industrial and strategic growth.

Invoking Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Antyodaya, the Prime Minister said the government’s welfare-first approach was rooted in serving the last person in the queue. He cited flagship schemes ensuring access to clean water, electricity, housing, healthcare and insurance, stating that governance today is focused on dignity rather than discrimination.

Detailing social security measures, PM Modi said schemes like Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana have collectively benefited hundreds of millions, with welfare support reaching thousands of crores of rupees annually.

Turning to Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s legacy, the Prime Minister said it was fitting that his birthday is celebrated as Good Governance Day. He credited Vajpayee’s tenure with laying the foundation for India’s telecom expansion and digital transformation, calling today’s digital revolution a continuation of Atal ji’s governance vision.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the government’s focus on employment and livelihoods, speaking about the Viksit Bharat Guaranteed Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen). He said the new framework aims to replace MGREGA, promising increased rural employment days and improved efficiency.