Atal Bihari Vajpayee

                                                 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018) was an Indian politician, statesman, and poet who played a crucial role in Indian politics for several decades. Here are some key details about his life and career:

1.         Early Life:

·         Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, British India.

·         He completed his schooling from Victoria College in Gwalior and later graduated with a master's degree in political science from DAV College, Kanpur.

2.        Entry into Politics:

·         Vajpayee's political career began during his college days when he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization.

·         He was a founding member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) in 1951, which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

3.       Parliamentary Career:

·         Vajpayee was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) for the first time in 1957.

·         Over the years, he became a prominent leader and orator, known for his powerful speeches.

4.        Ministerial Positions:

·         He served as the External Affairs Minister in the Morarji Desai government from 1977 to 1979.

·         Vajpayee also served as the Minister of External Affairs in Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar's government from 1990 to 1991.

5.        Prime Ministership:

·         Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India three times:

·         March 19 to April 13, 1996.

·         May 19, 1996, to June 1, 1996.

·         March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004.

·         His third term was the most significant, marked by economic reforms, infrastructure development, and nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998.

6.        Nuclear Tests:

·         Vajpayee's government conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, making India a declared nuclear weapons state.

7.        Infrastructure Development:

·         Under Vajpayee's leadership, the government initiated the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), which aimed at improving and expanding the road network in India.

8.        Foreign Policy:

·         Vajpayee worked to improve relations with Pakistan and initiated the Lahore Summit in 1999, though it was later overshadowed by the Kargil War.

9.        Political Legacy:

·         Atal Bihari Vajpayee was known for his moderate and inclusive approach, often emphasizing the idea of "Coalition Dharma" during his tenure.

10.      Personal Attributes:

·         Apart from his political career, Vajpayee was also a noted poet and orator. His poems, speeches, and essays reflected his philosophical and literary inclinations.

11.        Later Years and Death:

·         Vajpayee retired from active politics in 2005 due to health reasons.

·         He passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93.

 

1.