‘Going to Atal Gram like watching a film on him’

Place highlights former PM’s childhood days, struggles

LUCKNOW: A visit to the Atal Gram set up at the Lucknow Mahotsav venue to highlight the childhood days of the former prime minister AB Vajpayee was no less than visiting his ancestral village Bateshwar in Agra, said visitors on Tuesday.

“Going through Atal Gram is like watching a documentary based on the former PM. It is a beautiful way to pay tribute to the great personality, who shared a special connect with Lucknow,” said Sudhakar Mishra, a bank employee.

“Before going to Atal Gram, I was literally unaware of the name of Atal ji’s village. This place beautifully highlights his childhood days and the struggle he overcome prior to becoming a seasoned politician and prime minister of India,” he added.

Mishra was not the lone visitor to ‘Atal Gram’ that remained the centre of attraction for many others on the third day of the Mahotsav.

District administration officials said establishing Atal Gram at Smriti Upvan was an attempt to pay tribute to the former PM. The Mahotsav’s theme this year is ‘Atal Sanskriti-Atal Virasat’.

People came across cutouts that highlighted the decisions taken by Vajpayee as PM.

An old well, huts, mud

houses, bullock carts, chaupal sthal and lot more things adorne the Atal Gram whereas another section here highlights the different schemes initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi including Swachh Bharat Mission, Saubhagya Yojna, Make in India and others.

A few visitors said they came specially to have a glimpse of the Atal Gram, which according to them, is the most unique feature of Mahotsav this year.

“It’s tough to take out time from a busy schedule to visit Atal ji’s village Bateshwar. Hence, we came to Atal Gram that actually depicts his village, highlighting each and every detail,” said Seema Singh, a teacher with a private school who came along with her family to see the village.

People were also seen clicking selfies with the bullock cart, huts and tractors in background at the Atal Gram.

A burst of colours during the cultural performances ‘Braj ki Holi’ organised at Lucknow Mahotsav on Tuesday.

ALL PHOTOS DEEPAK GUPTA / HT

(Top) A couple posing at Atal Gram, Lucknow Mahotsav, on Tuesday; (Above) A picturesque view of Smriti Upvan, the venue of the festival; and (left) A puppet show being presented on the day.