India, Jan. 4 -- New Delhi

Calling them "true statesmen" who placed "the nation above power" and "principles above politics", Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday recalled the contributions of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya to nation building.

Singh was speaking at the Delhi Assembly after unveiling the portraits of the two leaders in the House chambers. The Union minister, accompanied by chief minister Rekha Gupta and speaker Vijender Gupta, also released a book titled "Bharat Mata".

Union minister Singh said the unveiling of the portraits of Vajpayee and Malaviya was a silent reminder of their words and our duty towards the nation. He called upon people to consider educati...