Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the coin release ceremony in New Delhi, India, Dec. 24, 2018. India on Monday released a commemorative coin of INR 100 (1.42 U.S. dollars) in honour of its former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, officials said. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)

NEW DELHI, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- India on Monday released a commemorative coin of INR 100 (1.42 U.S. dollars) in honour of its former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, officials said.

The coin was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament house annexe in New Delhi.

"The mind is not ready to believe that Atal Ji is no longer with us. He was a stalwart loved and respected across all sections of society," Modi said while addressing the function.

Vajpayee passed away on August 16 this year at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a premier hospital, at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness.

He served as India's prime minister three times and led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government from 1998 to 2004.

Vajpayee's birth anniversary, which falls on December 25, is celebrated as the "Good Governance Day" by ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).

On one side of the new INR 100 coin, there is a portrait of Vajpayee with his name.