New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered educationist and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birthdays.

"Malviya gave new directions to the modern education in India. He was a fine example of resolution and self-confidence," Modi said in his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Greeting Vajpayee on his 92nd birthday, Modi said the former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient took the nation to "new heights" which will be never forgotten.

The Prime Minister said Vajpayee "strengthened the nation" by modernising and promoting country's nuclear power.

Modi recalled his days working with Vajpayee and said that in all the posts and responsibilities, the former Prime Minister proved to be an ideal for others.

Modi also paid tributes to Malviya on his 155th birthday.

"Two days back I went to the workplace of Malviyaji and (laid the foundation) of a project at the Banaras Hindu University for Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Institute. This will be a boon not only for western Uttar Pradesh but also for Jharkhand and Bihar," the Prime Minsiter added.