Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the grand Rashtra Prerna Sthal at Basant Kunj in Lucknow on Wednesday, commemorating the legacy of India’s eminent leaders. The event was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and several senior dignitaries.
PM Modi Pays Tribute to National Icons
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Modi greeted the large gathering of attendees. The event commenced with a collective singing of Vande Mataram. The Prime Minister offered floral tributes to the statue of Bharat Mata and toured the BJP-Jansangh gallery, which chronicles the ideological and political journey from the Indian Jansangh to the Bharatiya Janata Party through vivid pictorial displays.
The Rashtra Prerna Sthal is designed to promote the philosophy and contributions of three pillars of Indian nationalism—Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee—bringing their values and legacy closer to the public.
A Lotus-Shaped Monument with Iconic Bronze Statues
The site has been developed in the shape of a lotus and features 65-foot bronze statues of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These statues, crafted by renowned sculptors Ram Sutar and Mantu Ram Art Creations, are enhanced with façade lighting and projection mapping for a captivating visual effect.
A dedicated museum within the premises showcases India’s freedom movement and national heroes through murals, symbolizing the journey of nation-building. The courtyard features a statue of Bharat Mata, while galleries narrate the life, ideology, and struggles of the country’s iconic leaders.
World-Class Facilities for Visitors and Mass Gatherings
The Rashtra Prerna Sthal offers a 3,000-capacity amphitheater, a rally ground accommodating up to 2 lakh people, a synthetic track, meditation and yoga centers, a Vipassana hall, a helipad, and a cafeteria. The site aims to inspire nationalism and patriotism among future generations while serving as a center for historical memory.
PM Modi Highlights Vision for India 2047
Speaking at the event on the 101st birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PM Modi emphasized collective citizen participation as essential for realizing India’s vision for 2047. He honored both Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya for their lifelong contributions to India’s unity, identity, and nation-building. He also acknowledged Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee for his historic efforts toward India’s first industrial policy and the promotion of self-reliance.
Recalling Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Antyodaya, the Prime Minister highlighted government initiatives reaching the last person in society through housing, sanitation, water, electricity, free food, and healthcare schemes.
Emphasis on Development, Defence, and Governance
PM Modi cited Uttar Pradesh’s ongoing ‘One District, One Product’ scheme and the Defence Corridor in Lucknow, including the production of BrahMos missiles, as benchmarks for state and national development. He highlighted that around 95 crore citizens are now covered under government welfare schemes, with over ₹25,000 crore claims settled under life and insurance programs.
Tribute to Atal Ji’s Legacy and National Leadership
The Prime Minister praised Atal Bihari Vajpayee for laying the foundation for digital identity, telecom, and road connectivity, emphasizing that the state has become a leading hub for mobile manufacturing. He also honored national leaders such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Birsa Munda for receiving their rightful place in India’s history.
In his concluding remarks, PM Modi lauded Uttar Pradesh’s growth under the double-engine government, citing projects like Ayodhya, Kashi, and the Rashtra Prerna Sthal as symbols of the state’s new identity and contributions to building a developed India.
