CM opens ‘Hamare Atal Pyare Atal’ Poets’ meet in Gwalior

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made an unparalleled contribution to public welfare and nation-building, while also giving Indian democracy a new direction.Addressing the All India Poets’ Conference “Hamare Atal Pyare Atal” organised in Gwalior in memory of Vajpayee, Yadav said the Prime Minister’s Rural Road Scheme launched during Atal Ji’s tenure has played a key role in accelerating development in villages across the country. He described Vajpayee as a towering statesman whose ideas and values continue to remain relevant.
During the event, noted poet Balveer Singh Karun from Alwar was conferred the Kavi Atal Award for 2024, while poet Kirti Kale received the award for 2025. Both awardees were honoured with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh each, a citation and a shawl.The programme, held at the Dattopant Thengdi Auditorium of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University on the evening of Wednesday, was attended by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal, senior ministers, legislators, public representatives and senior administrative and police officials.
Recalling Vajpayee’s legacy, the chief minister said he was an “unarmed warrior” in politics whose strength lay in his ideas and vision. He noted that the Pokhran nuclear tests conducted under Vajpayee’s leadership surprised the world and significantly enhanced India’s global standing. Yadav added that Vajpayee upheld democratic values throughout his political life.CM said the Madhya Pradesh government is focusing on industrial growth, employment generation and comprehensive rural development as a tribute to Vajpayee’s ideals. Yadav also announced that during Vajpayee’s birth centenary celebrations, the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit in Gwalior will witness foundation stone-laying and inauguration of investment proposals exceeding ₹2 lakh crore.Highlighting the state’s development agenda, the chief minister said irrigation facilities are being steadily expanded in line with Vajpayee’s vision. Currently, irrigation covers about 54 lakh hectares, with a target to increase it to 100 lakh hectares. “The objective is to ensure that every hand gets work and every hand gets water,” he said.Yadav concluded his address by reciting Vajpayee’s well-known verses, including “Main jhukne wala nahi hoon” and “Hamein saath-saath chalna hoga.” Earlier, he and other dignitaries paid floral tributes to Vajpayee’s portrait and inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp.