Prime Ministers of India

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Early Life and Career of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Born on 25th December 1924, the tenth Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a great parliamentarian and held the helm of office for over four decades. He got elected to Lok Sabha for nine times and Rajya Sabha for two times. During different periods, he has the credit of being the only statesman to be elected from four states viz UP, MP, Gujarat and Delhi at four different periods. The original Jansangh party was formed by erstwhile leaders and Vajpayee has the distinction of being the original founder member of the party. He held the office of External affairs in the cabinet of the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai. He held the office of the Prime Minister of India three times, first time for 13 days in 1996, second time for 13 months between 1998 and 1999 and third time from 1999 to 2004 for a full time of five years. He was a great statesman and a Padma Vibhushan Awardee.

More Description

Born to Krishna Devi and Krishna Dihar Vajpayee on 25th Dec 1924 in a Middle Class Brahmin Family in Gwalior, Atal Bihar Vajpayee had come to Gwalior from UP. His father was a poet and also a school master and he studied in his native initially. He held distinction in Hindi and Sanskrit let alone English. He passed out MA in political Science. He joined Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and was an active member. He pursued Law as further education and thus became a journalist. He  actively joined the freedom struggle and was the editor of Rashtradharma, a Hindi monthly and Panchianya, a Hindi Weekly. He remained a bachelor throughout his life and never married.

Vajpayee entered politics in 1942 and joined Jana Sangh which later became Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). He was also appreciated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. He had the distinction of delivering the first speech in Hindi in 1977 in United Nations General Assembly when he was representing the Janata Dal party, where the Bhartiya Janata party was merged. In 1996 elections, BJP emerged as a single majority party and formed the Government with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as its Prime Minister. Under his leadership, India saw 5 nuclear tests being performed and improvement in foreign relations. Better international sanctions and self-sufficiency were the positive and notable features of his rule. The Lahore Summit of 1988-89 was also applauded by everyone and better diplomatic ties with Pakistan were established. Victory over Kargil war was another feather on his cap. Also, the 2001 Parliament Attack was another important event that took place during his regime. And, the Gujarat riot was another setback that his Government had to face.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced his retirement from Active Politics in 2005 and did not contest for subsequent elections. A great BJP leader applauded and worshiped by the BJP members was also called as “Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Politics”. He was hospitalized for chest infection on 6th Feb 2009, put on ventilator support and could not address public meetings and functions. He had to undergo knee replacement operation in 2001.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee has an adopted daughter Namita. He loves nature and Indian music and dance. He is a great poet and has many writings.

Some of the Awards notably received by Atal Bihar Vajpayee are Padma Vibhushan, D Lit from Kanpur University, Lokmanya Tilak Aware, best Parliamentarian Award, Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant Award  etc.

Apart from being a great Political and Social figure, other notable books include Atal Bihar Vajmemtinadasaka, Pradhanamantri Atal Bihari Vajapeyi Chune hue Bhashana, Values, Vision and Verses of Vajpayee: India’s Man of Destiny, India’s Foreign Policy; New Dimensions and Assam Problem: Repression no solution. His notable poetry include, Twenty one poems, Kya Khoya Kya Paya –Hindi edition, Meri Ikyavana Kavitaem, Meri Ikyavana Kavitaem (second), Sreshtha Kabita, Nayi Disha- an album with Jagjit Singh.

A great personality, a statesman and a notable leader, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be remembered ever for his great contributions to the society at large.

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