Ten years after his demise, former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, who was disowned by Congress and denied a memorial in Delhi by its government, has finally got his due respect in the form of a 'samadhi' here.
A memorial ghat is ready for Rao at 'Rashtriya Smriti', close to the memorials of all the former Presidents and Prime Ministers, a senior Urban Development Ministry official said.
It has been made ready to coincide with the late leader's birth anniversary, which was two days back.
Rao, who headed a Congress government between 1991 and 1996, was disowned by his party. After his death in 2004, the Congress-led UPA government had denied any memorial to him.
The UPA government, in fact, had gone further and decided in 2013 that there will be no more separate memorials for any leader, citing paucity of space.
The memorial is raised on a plinth in marble with a plaque bearing text highlighting briefly his contributions.
"Known as the scholar Prime Minister of India, Shri P V Narasimha Rao was born on 28th June, 1921 in Laknepalli Village, Warangal District in Telangana state. He rose to prominence as freedom fighter who fought the misrule of the Nizam during the formulative years of his political career," the plaque reads.
It goes on to add, "A reformer, educationist, scholar, conversant in 15 languages and known for his intellectual contribution, he was called the 'Brihaspati' (wiseman) of the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet between 1962 and 1971. He was the first Chief Minister to implement land reforms in the country in 1972.
"As a minister in the Union Cabinet from 1980-1989, he held various portfolios and brought in lasting changes in them. As Prime Minister of India, he ushered in economic reforms and laid the foundations for a strong and vibrant economy in India.
"PV Narasimha Rao died on 23rd December 2004, leaving behind a lasting legacy. He is fondly remembered as the architect of vibrant India," it says.
