When Atal Bihari Vajpayee died on Thursday, it was an end of a life that saw a lot. From fighting the British during the 1942 Quit India movement, fighting the Indira Gandhi government during the 1977 Emergency to assuming the position of prime minister for three terms - 13 days, 13 months, and five years, Vajpayee truly lived a great life.
When Atal Bihari Vajpayee died on Thursday, it was an end of a life that saw a lot. From fighting the British during the 1942 Quit India movement, fighting the Indira Gandhi government during the 1977 Emergency to assuming the position of prime minister for three terms - 13 days, 13 months, and five years, Vajpayee truly lived a great life.
Born in 1924 to a middle-class Brahmin family of Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee & Smt. Krishna Devi, Atal Bihari Vahpayee was one of seven children. He did his schooling at the Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gorkhi in Gwalior. Following this, he pursued an MA in Political Science from DAV College in Kanpur. He graduated in Hindi, Sanskrit and English from Victoria College in Gwalior.
Vajpayee's first brush with politics was during the Quit India movement in 1942 when he was just 18 years old. In 1951, he embarked on a career as a journalist, which was cut short in 1951, when he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the parent organisation of modern day BJP. They rest, as they say, is history, as he had one if the most illustrious political careers in modern-day India, with people across the spectrum respecting his leadership, his thoughts, his oratory skills, and mostly his humanity. This can be perfectly emphasized in how the Congress leaders paid homage to him on Thursday.
1. The early years
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Schoolgirls hold candles and photographs of Indias former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to pay him homage during a prayer ceremony inside a school in Chennai. Born in 1924 to a middle-class Brahmin family of Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee & Smt. Krishna Devi, Atal Bihari Vahpayee was one of seven children. He did his schooling at the Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gorkhi in Gwalior. Following this, he pursued an MA in Political Science from DAV College in Kanpur. He graduated in Hindi, Sanskrit and English from Victoria College in Gwalior. - Reuters
2. The Kolkata connection
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Beriwala family members remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Whenever he visited Kolkata, he would never stay at a five-star hotel. Instead, he would stay with a close friend at CR Avenue, located in the north of the city. The Beriwala family remembers the veteran politician, not as a neta, but a close family member. Till date, Vajpayee’s photograph is a constant in the family album, as the former prime minister is as close to the Beriwalas as any other family member. Vajpayee's first brush with politics was during the Quit India movement in 1942 when he was just 18 years old. In 1951, he embarked on a career as a journalist, which was cut short in 1951, when he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the parent organisation of modern day BJP. It was here that met Ghanshyam Beriwala, the patriarch of the Beriwala family in Kolkata - PTI
3. A political genius
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He won his first election from Balrampur, UP in 1957 in the 2nd Lok Sabha election and became the Leader of the BJS in the Parliament from 1957 to 1977. In 1967, he was elected to the 4th Lok Sabha. He was the President of the BJS from 1968 to 1973. Between 1977 - 1979 he was the Minister of External Affairs. He was the Foreign Minister during the Morarji Desai govt in 1977. From 1980-1986 he was the President of the BJP. From 1996 to 1997 he was the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. - AFP
4. The push for peace
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He became PM thrice: from May 16-31, 1996; from 1998 to 1999 for a period of 13 months, and a full five-year term from October 13, 1999 to May 13, 2004. After conveying India's strength through nuclear tests, Vajpayee took the risk of reaching out to Pakistan suggesting an end to hostility by exploring creative solutions to problems afflicting bilateral relations. The euphoria of the bus ride evaporated within days of Kargil happening. The Lahore Bus Yatra came to be described as 'Bus to Nowhere'. It had one lasting human impact though. It opened the bus route for ordinary people to go across the border. Two years later, in July 2001, he invited Pakistan president Pervez Musharaf to Agra. The peace process collapsed and no signatures were obtained for the Agra Treaty. - PTI
5. When he gave China a piece of his mind
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China had accused India of stealing a flock of 800 sheep and 49 yaks, from a Tibetan herdsman near the Sikkim border. Exchanges between the two governments dating back to 1965 reveal that China accused Indian troops of stealing the flock of animals from Tibetan herdsmen operating near the Sikkim border and demanded that animals be returned. However, to counter China's claim, Vajpayee drove a herd of sheep to the Chinese Embassy. - AFP
6. India under Vajpayee's leadership...
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Vajpayee ensured that India’s economy did not crumble, despite a global recession during the 1998-99 period. At the time, India’s GDP was 5,8% and eventually surpassed 7% during his tenure as PM. The international image of the country improved with modernization of industrial and public infrastructure; increased foreign investments; booming of IT industry; creation of new jobs; industrial expansion; and improved agricultural harvests. The Centre, under his leadership, took bold decisions for strengthening rural economy, building a strong infrastructure and revitalising human development programmes. Also, during this period, former US President Bill Clinton visited India in 2000 – the first visit by US President in 22 years. - PTI
7. Meet the remaining family members
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Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees nephew Surendrakumar Vajpayee (2R), his wife Poonam Vajpayee (3R), their son Arnav (R) and Vajpayee's two nieces, Bina and Prafulla Vajpayee (2L and L) pose for a picture in Ahmedabad on August 16, 2018 - AFP
