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When Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave the gift of Delhi Metro to national capital

Before inaugurating the Metro, Vajpayee along with Advani had took the very first metro ride.

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Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had gifted the very first Delhi Metro to the national capital. Vajpayee in 2002 inauguarated the Delhi Metro, fulfiling a long cherished dream of an underground rail. 

Before inaugurating the Metro, Vajpayee along with Advani had took the very first metro ride. 

"Delhi is the capital of India which is the largest democracy in the world. The population is growing and the people want provision of basic facilities," Vajpayee had then said.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 93, was the only parliamentarian who got elected from four different states - Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Delhi - and was Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha a record 10 times and to the Rajya Sabha twice. He served as India's Prime Minister three times. He made his foray into politics during the pre-independence era when he went to jail for taking part in the Quit India Movement.

Former president Pranab Mukherjee paying his tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee had described him as a reasoned critique in the opposition, who dominated the space like a titan, and a seeker of consensus as prime minister.

Describing him as a democrat to the core, Mukherjee, in a letter to Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, said the former prime minister dominated the opposition space like a titan and led the government with aplomb.

He added that Vajpayee was an inheritor and practitioner of the best traditions and qualities of leadership as he expressed sadness at his demise.

"Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM, Atal Ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences," Mukherjee said in a tweet.

"A democrat to the core, Atalji dominated the opposition space like a titan and led the government with aplomb. An inheritor and practitioner of the best traditions and qualities of leadership, in his demise the nation has lost a great son. An era that will forever be fondly remembered has passed away," he wrote in his letter to Vajpayee's daughter.

"I am deeply saddened at the passing away of Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee and convey my heartfelt condolences to you, your family and millions of his admirers across the world," he said, adding that no words could be of comfort in these difficult times, "however, please know that you and your family are in our prayers".

Former prime minister Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died here today. He was 93.

Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter.

His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital, where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments.

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