Narendra Modi releases Rs 100 coin in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee; highest denomination in alloy so far

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative Rs 100 coin in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his 94th birth anniversary today. This is the highest denomination of coin in India so far. The former prime minister died at the AIIMS in the national capital in August at the age of 93 following prolonged illness.

BJP veteran and Vajpayee's long-time associate L K Advani was present along with other members of the party -- Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah were also present at the event here.

Narendra Modi releasing the commemorative coin. @BJP4India

BJP veteran and Vajpayee's long-time associate L K Advani was on the stage. Besides Advani, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah were also present at the event.

Modi hailed Vajpayee, whose birthday falls on Christmas Day (tomorrow), as an 'unparalled' speaker. "He is among the best orators our nation has produced. The party which Atalji built has become among the largest political parties. Generations of Karyakartas were fortunate to be mentored by him," he said.

"Atalji wanted democracy to be supreme. He built the Jana Sangh. But, when the time came to rescue our democracy he and others went to Janata Party. Likewise, when the choice was between remaining in power or comprising on ideology, he left Janata Party and formed the BJP," the prime minister said.

"For some people, power is oxygen... they can't live without it. A long part of Atalji's career was spent in the Opposition benches but he spoke about national interest and never compromised on the ideology of the party," PM Modi said.

Modi said the mind 'is not ready' to believe that Vajpayee is no longer alive. Though he was away from public glare for nearly a decade due to ill health, the way people gave him a farewell on his demise showed the mark he had created in people's minds, Modi said.

The coin has the national emblem on the front face and its value—Rs 100, is inscribed below the emblem. It has the words Satyamev Jayate  inscribed below the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in Devanagri script. The word 'Bharat' is inscribed on the coin in Devanagri and 'India' in the Roman script.

There is a picture of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the reverse side of the coin. The former prime minister's name is inscribed in both Devanagari and Roman. The years 1924 and 2018 are inscribed below Vajpayee's portrait to mark the year of his birth and death respectively.

Vajpayee died at the AIIMS in the national capital in August at the age of 93 following prolonged illness.

--With PTI inputs