CM uneils Vajpayee’s statue in Manali.

Why in news?

• Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur unveiled a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 97th birth anniversary on the Mall Road in Manali today. The statue has been constructed at a cost of Rs 44 lakh.
• The CM also addressed a public gathering at Prini village that has Vajpayee’s residence. He said the people of Kullu district in particular and people of the state in general were fortunate that Vajpayee had special love and showered benevolence on the state and its people.
• Atal Tunnel was the vision of the former Prime Minister which had virtually transformed the economy of the tribal district of Lahaul & Spiti and was strategically very important.
• Sushasan Divas’ (Good Governance Day) as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister. He said several schemes of the state government had been named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a mark of respect to the beloved leader of the masses