PM, Speaker pay homage to Vajpayee, Malaviya

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday paid rich tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and noted scholar Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on their birth anniversaries.
They paid floral tributes to the portraits of Vajpayee and Malaviya in the Central Hall of Parliament here.
Among others who paid tributes were several Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, former MPs and other dignitaries.
Booklets containing their profiles, brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, were presented to the dignitaries.
The portraits of Malaviya and Vajpayee were unveiled in the Central Hall of Parliament House on 19 December 1957 and 12 February, 2019 respectively, in recognition of their outstanding services to the nation.
The President of India awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, to Malaviya posthumously and Vajpayee on 24 December 2014.
Young participants selected from across the country in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, also paid tributes to them.
Selected participants also expressed their views on the two leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker said,” Good Governance Day which falls on the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, inspires public representatives to discharge their responsibilities sincerely, raises citizens’ awareness and ensures accountability of governance.”
Mentioning his peerless role in enriching parliamentary traditions, Birla said “Atal ji’s forthrightness, poise, oratory skills and knowledge on various subjects were unmatched.”
“Under his leadership the nation made unprecedented progress in various fields. From nuclear power to infrastructure development, telecom revolution, administrative reforms, to rural development, the country developed in every field due to Atal ji’s vision and decisive leadership,” he said.
Birla also remembered Malaviya for his contribution to India’s education system and his prominent role in the Indian independence movement.
He called upon the youth to take inspiration from his life. (UNI)