Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the grand Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow on Wednesday, December 25. The ceremony marked the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Prime Minister also addressed a public gathering at the site around 2:30 PM.
A Monumental Tribute to Visionary Leaders
Developed as a landmark national memorial, the Rashtra Prerna Sthal is envisioned as a permanent asset of enduring significance. Constructed at an approximate cost of ₹230 crore, the complex spans 65 acres on Hardoi Road on the outskirts of Lucknow. The project was executed under the Basant Kunj scheme of the Lucknow Development Authority, with work commencing in 2022.
The most striking feature of the complex is the set of three towering 65-feet-high bronze statues. These statues honour BJP icons—Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Each colossal statue weighs 42 tonnes and is strategically placed on platforms surrounded by water bodies, creating a majestic visual impact.
Inside the State-of-the-Art Museum and Facilities
At the heart of the memorial lies a cutting-edge museum designed in the shape of a lotus. This structure covers approximately 98,000 square feet and uses advanced digital and immersive technologies to narrate India's national journey and the contributions of the three leaders.
The museum is meticulously curated with five galleries and twelve interpretation walls dedicated to the luminaries. It includes rooms for screening orientation films on their lives. A significant section details the history of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the ideological forerunner of the BJP. Visitors can engage with poems and speeches by Vajpayee, nationalist quotes by Mookerjee and Upadhyaya, and audio presentations highlighting their role in nation-building.
Beyond the museum, the complex is built as a hub for inspiration and community engagement. It features:
- An amphitheatre with a seating capacity for 3,000 people.
- A meditation hall and a dedicated yoga centre.
- A musical block and a massive rally ground capable of holding over 2 lakh people.
- Helipads for connectivity.
A Lasting Legacy for Public Inspiration
The Rashtra Prerna Sthal is more than just a memorial; it is a project dedicated to fostering leadership values, national service, and cultural consciousness. Following its inauguration by the Prime Minister, the complex is now open to the public. It stands as a physical embodiment of political history and ideology, aimed at educating and inspiring future generations about the foundational figures of a major political movement in India.
The site's inspection was completed on Sunday by the municipal commissioner, ensuring all preparations were in place for the historic inauguration on Christmas Day.
