MP to name 3 awards after Vajpayee: Shivraj Chouhan

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Aug 18 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday announced that the state government will name three awards after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on August 16.

Speaking at an event, Chouhan said, "We will name three awards after Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. One will be for poets, the second will be for the outstanding contribution in the field of journalism, and third for good work in administration."

Vajpayee, who was India's 10th prime minister breathed his last at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness. The 93-year-old was cremated with full state honours at Smriti Sthal in New Delhi on August 17.

The Central and all the state governments have decided to observe a seven-day mourning to honour the veteran politician. Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004, was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. (ANI)