Lucknow, Nov 12 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday unveiled a statue of former Union Minister Akhilesh Das here and appreciated his contribution to the fields of sports, education and social work.

Also Read | Kangana Ranaut Gets Slammed For Her 'Freedom Came in 2014' Remark; MVA Govt Demands Her Arrest and Asks Centre to Take Actor's State Honours.

After unveiling Das' statue at Babu Banarasi Das University here, Singh said that his contribution to the fields of sports, education and social work cannot be forgotten.

Also Read | Anil Deshmukh’s ED Custody Extended By 3 Days By Special PMLA Court.

"He was always concerned about the development of the Lucknow city. He opened education institutes not for earning money but for the nation-building," he said.

On this occasion, UP's Law and Justice Minister Brajesh Pathak also remembered his association with Das and talked of the discussions and memories in daily meetings with him.

He described Das as a “unique personality”.

Before unveiling the statue, BBD Group chancellor Alka Das honoured and thanked Singh and Pathak besides other dignitaries.

Das was Union minister in the Congress regime and had also been Lucknow's mayor.

Singh had reached Lucknow earlier during the day to chair a meeting for the promotion of investment in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)