A commemorative programme to mark the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was organised on 21 December 2025 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh, by the Atal Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The event was organised on the theme “Shunya Se Shatak - Ek Shatabdi Atal Bharat Ki” (From Zero to a Century – A Century of Atal India).
The programme was attended by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, as the Chief Guest. The Hon’ble Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Mohan Yadav, and other senior dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
The commemoration aimed to honour the life, ideals and enduring legacy of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and to disseminate his contribution to nation-building among the public, particularly the youth, encouraging them to draw inspiration from his democratic values, principles of good governance and cultural nationalism.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by the Chairperson, Atal Foundation, Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari, followed by a Ganesh Vandana performed by school children. Key highlights included the unveiling of the cover page of the Bharat Ratna Maha Atal Mahagranth, the inauguration of an exhibition and the release of a calendar depicting the life and legacy of Shri Vajpayee. A handcrafted wooden artefact created by artisans of Madhya Pradesh was presented to the Hon’ble Vice President. A documentary showcasing 100 years of Shri Vajpayee’s life was also screened.
During the programme, the message of the Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, was read out. Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan recalled Shri Vajpayee’s unwavering commitment to his ideals and values throughout his life, noting that he consistently placed the common citizen at the centre of governance.
The Hon’ble Governor, Shri Mangubhai Patel, described Shri Vajpayee as an embodiment of political morality and national duty, while the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr Mohan Yadav, highlighted his integrity, dignity in public life and contribution to enhancing India’s stature globally, including his historic address in Hindi at the United Nations.
The day-long commemorative programme, held at the Dhirubhai Ambani Auditorium, Daly College Campus, Indore, witnessed wide participation from all sections of society and concluded with the recital of the national anthem.
