Shimla, Dec 25 (UNI) Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur unveiled the statue of Bharat Ratna and late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at historic The Ridge on Friday, on the occasion of his 96th birth anniversary.

While addressing the 'Atal Samriti Samaroh' on the occasion of 'Sushashan Divas' by the State language, Art and Culture Department at Gaiety Theatre, the Chief Minister paid rich tribute to Vajpayee.

He said Vajpayee was a statesman and a great personality, who, due to his politics of principles, emerged as a statesman with national appeal.

The Chief Minister said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a legendary and visionary leader, who defined highest values of leadership and his contribution for the development of the country would be remembered for the years to come.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an orator par excellence, who had the ability to cast a spell on the audience. He said that even during some tense moments in Parliament, Vajpayee succeeded to defuse the situation with utmost ease.

Mr Thakur said that despite being away from active politics for over a decade at the time of his demise, lakhs of youth joined the last journey of Vajpayeeji, which shows his deep impact in the lives of people of the country.

He said that nation was first for Vajpayee ji and therefore, he was regarded as the true statesman by the people of the country.

The Chief Minister said that Vajpayee, as the Prime Minister of the country, changed India forever in many aspects. As Prime Minister for six years between 1998 and 2004, Vajpayee was credited with reviving India's glory in the global economy.

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