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Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (25 December 1924 – 16 August 2018) was an Indian statesman, poet, and orator who served as the 10th Prime Minister of India. A co-founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he played a key role in shaping post-liberalization India.[1]
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee | |
|---|---|
| |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002 | |
| Born | 25 December 1924 |
| Birthplace | Gwalior, Gwalior State, British India (now Madhya Pradesh) |
| Died | 16 August 2018 (aged 93) |
| Place of death | New Delhi, India |
| Resting place | Sadaiv Atal, New Delhi |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Politician, Poet, Writer |
| Years active | 1942–2009 |
| Known for | Prime Minister of India, Nuclear Policy, Economic Reforms, BJP Leadership |
| Notable works | Meri Ikyavan Kavitayen, Kadam Milakar Chalna Hoga |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna (2015), Padma Vibhushan (1992), Best Parliamentarian Award (1994) |
| Spouse(s) | Never married |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Krishna Bihari Vajpayee (father), Krishna Devi (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | Official PM Profile |
Early Life and Education
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born in Gwalior to Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and Krishna Devi. His father was a teacher and poet, which influenced Vajpayee's literary interests. He studied at Victoria College (now Laxmi Bai College), Gwalior and later completed his MA in Political Science from DAV College, Kanpur.[2]
Political Career
Vajpayee joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his college days. He took part in the Quit India Movement and later became a founding member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1957 and gained recognition for his oratory skills.
Prime Minister of India
Vajpayee served as Prime Minister in three terms:
- For 13 days in 1996
- For 13 months from 1998 to 1999
- From 1999 to 2004 for a full term
During his tenure, he initiated several key projects and policies:
- Pokhran-II nuclear tests (1998)
- Kargil War response (1999)
- Golden Quadrilateral highway development project
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for primary education
- Telecom liberalization that led to a mobile revolution in India
Literary Works
He was a gifted Hindi poet. Some of his major works include:
- Meri Ikyavan Kavitayen
- Kadam Milakar Chalna Hoga
Personal Life
Vajpayee remained unmarried and lived a simple life. He adopted the daughter of a longtime friend and treated her as family.
Awards and Honors
- Bharat Ratna (2015)
- Padma Vibhushan (1992)
- Best Parliamentarian Award (1994)
Death and Memorial
He passed away on 16 August 2018 due to prolonged illness. He was cremated at Sadaiv Atal in New Delhi with full state honors.[3]
Legacy
Vajpayee is remembered as a moderate and visionary leader. His leadership, poetic style, and consensus-driven politics have left a lasting impact on Indian governance and diplomacy.