Atal Bihari Vajpayee Remembered on His Eighth Death Anniversary; President Murmu, PM Modi and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Pay Tribute at ‘Sadaiv Atal’
New Delhi, August 16, 2026: On the eighth death anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Atal Bihari Vajpayee, tributes were paid to him across the country on Sunday. A special prayer ceremony was held at his memorial, ‘Sadaiv Atal,’ in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan visited the memorial and offered floral tributes in memory of the former Prime Minister.
Several Union ministers and senior leaders also visited ‘Sadaiv Atal’ on the occasion. They included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, former President Ram Nath Kovind, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP National President Nitin Nabin, among others. They paid their respects and remembered Vajpayee’s significant contribution to the nation.
PM Modi Calls Vajpayee an Exceptional Statesman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remembered Atal Bihari Vajpayee through a social media post. He described Vajpayee as an exceptional statesman and visionary leader who dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation. The Prime Minister said that Vajpayee’s ideas, efforts and leadership would continue to inspire future generations.
PM Modi also highlighted Vajpayee’s emphasis on good governance and public welfare, saying that his approach continues to guide the country even today. National interest and democratic values held a special place in Vajpayee’s political life.
Served as Prime Minister Three Times
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior. He served as the Prime Minister of India three times. He first assumed office in 1996, although his government lasted only for a short period. He subsequently served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 1999 and again from 1999 to 2004.
His tenure is remembered for significant initiatives in areas such as infrastructure development, economic policies, national security and foreign affairs. He was also widely respected for his powerful oratory, regard for parliamentary traditions and ability to build political consensus.
A Distinguished Poet and Writer
Apart from politics, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also a popular Hindi poet and writer. His poetry reflected themes of patriotism, struggle, democracy and human emotions. Even among political opponents, he was widely respected as a statesman known for his inclusive and democratic outlook.
In 2015, the Government of India conferred upon him the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
Passed Away on August 16, 2018
Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93 at AIIMS in New Delhi. Every year, his death anniversary is observed at the ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial, where political leaders and citizens pay tribute to his memory.
On his eighth death anniversary, the presence of the country’s top constitutional authorities and senior political leaders at the memorial once again highlighted the enduring legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His vision, commitment to public service, democratic values and contribution to the nation continue to hold an important place in India’s political and public life.