Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, a monumental national memorial dedicated to three towering figures of the Bharatiya Janata Party, in Lucknow on Thursday. The inauguration coincided with the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
A Grand Tribute to Ideological Pillars
On the eve of the event, Prime Minister Modi expressed his government's commitment to honouring the legacy of the nation's great leaders. He stated he was fortunate to inaugurate the memorial on such a significant occasion. The sprawling complex, built at a cost of approximately Rs 230 crore over 65 acres, features imposing 65-foot-high bronze statues of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted that the site also includes a state-of-the-art museum where visitors can learn about the invaluable contributions of these visionary leaders to India's nation-building journey. The statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya is the work of the renowned late sculptor Ram Sutar, while the statues of Dr Mookerjee and Vajpayee have been curated by sculptor Matu Ram.
Elaborate Arrangements for a Massive Gathering
The event witnessed a massive public turnout, with nearly 1.5 lakh people expected to attend. To manage the crowd, authorities arranged around 2,000 buses to ferry attendees. Thirteen designated parking zones were created to accommodate about 2,600 buses and 2,000 cars.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally reviewed the preparations, directing officials to ensure seamless crowd movement, parking, food distribution, and security coordination. The venue was decorated with special flowers sourced from Andhra Pradesh, Nainital, Delhi, and Pune. Attendees were provided with breakfast on the buses en route and lunch at the venue, along with ample drinking water provisions.
Unprecedented Security and PM's Schedule
An elaborate security blanket was thrown over the city for the PM's visit. The entire venue was placed under the protection of the Special Protection Group (SPG), with over 4,000 police personnel deployed in multiple layers. The security apparatus was further bolstered by ATS commandos, drone surveillance, and aerial reconnaissance conducted via helicopters on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and proceeded directly to the venue at Basant Kunj in Dubagga around 2:25 PM. After inaugurating the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, he addressed a large public gathering. His departure for the airport was scheduled for around 4:35 PM, with his flight to Delhi taking off at 5:55 PM. Traffic diversions were in effect from Wednesday night until Thursday evening to facilitate the movement of VIP convoys, guests, and residents.
The Rashtra Prerna Sthal is envisioned as a permanent national memorial of enduring significance. It aims to promote the leadership values, spirit of national service, cultural consciousness, and public inspiration embodied by the three leaders it commemorates, ensuring their ideals continue to guide future generations.
