Ambala: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday described former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee as far more than a politician, calling him “the living expression of India’s soul” whose words gave voice to the nation and whose thoughts shaped its future.
The Chief Minister was addressing a special programme organised on the occasion of Vajpayee’s birth anniversary at the Police Auditorium in Ambala city, where he attended as the chief guest. The event brought together political leaders, intellectuals, poets and citizens to remember the life, ideas and legacy of one of India’s most respected statesmen. Renowned poet Dr Kumar Vishwas was the keynote speaker, while former minister Aseem Goyal Naneola presided over and coordinated the programme.
At the outset, CM Saini paid floral tributes to the portrait of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, bowing in reverence to his memory. On the occasion, the Chief Minister, Dr Kumar Vishwas and Aseem Goyal jointly released the publication *Atal Smriti Sankalp Sambhar*, a commemorative booklet dedicated to Vajpayee’s ideals. CM Saini announced that under this initiative, 100 programmes would be organised across Haryana to honour and propagate Atal Ji’s vision.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that standing on the “sacred land of Ambala” filled him with pride, emotional strength and deep satisfaction. He noted that the event was not merely cultural in nature, but a celebration of national consciousness, values and collective memory. “Atal Ji connected politics with poetry, power with compassion, and statecraft with human values,” Saini said. “In his speeches, democracy breathed, and in his ideas, the future of India took shape.”
The Chief Minister also recalled that Vajpayee’s birth anniversary coincides with that of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the great freedom fighter and founder of Banaras Hindu University. He described Malaviya Ji as a towering figure who dedicated his entire life to social reform, promotion of mother tongue and service to the nation.
Welcoming Dr Kumar Vishwas, CM Saini said that the poet had the rare honour of reciting his verses before Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself and receiving his blessings. He praised Kumar Vishwas for his poetry rooted in nationalism, social sensitivity and youthful aspiration, expressing confidence that the poetic evening would go beyond entertainment and inspire introspection, while carrying Atal Ji’s thoughts to the younger generation.
The Chief Minister noted that Vajpayee’s birth anniversary is being observed as *Good Governance Day*. He referred to a programme held a day earlier in Panchkula, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled Vajpayee’s statue, released a coffee-table book on his life, inaugurated a blood donation camp, and dedicated 250 Atal Libraries across villages in Haryana as a tribute to the former Prime Minister.
CM Saini emphasised that one of Vajpayee’s greatest strengths was his firm commitment to ideology combined with openness to dialogue. “He respected his opponents and considered dissent a strength of democracy,” he said, adding that Vajpayee belonged to every Indian, not to any one party alone. Quoting Vajpayee’s famous lines about preserving one’s dignity and identity even in adversity, the Chief Minister said the message continues to guide India’s youth on the path of struggle and resolve.
Highlighting Vajpayee’s poetic legacy, Saini said his verses reflected the pain, hopes and aspirations of common people even when he was at the pinnacle of power. “His nationalism was deeply humane,” he remarked.
Speaking about Haryana, the Chief Minister said the state has always been a land of bravery, hard work and scholarship. He underlined that development is not limited to infrastructure alone, but is complete only when society’s consciousness is awakened and culture is enriched. He said the state government, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of good governance and cultural renaissance, is committed to promoting literature, art and culture.
CM Saini credited Vajpayee with laying the foundation for many milestones of modern India, including the Golden Quadrilateral highway project, strengthening India’s strategic capabilities, and elevating the country’s global stature.
Dr Kumar Vishwas, in his address, praised both the Chief Minister and the Haryana government, remarking that “Atal Ji was rare, and CM Nayab Singh Saini too is firm and unwavering.” He described the Chief Minister as gentle and approachable. Former minister Aseem Goyal Naneola honoured CM Saini and Dr Kumar Vishwas with shawls, turbans and a portrait of Atal Ji, calling upon citizens to follow Vajpayee’s footsteps in contributing to national and social development.
The programme concluded with a renewed resolve to carry forward Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ideals of dialogue, dignity and democratic values.
