Atal Bihari Vajpayee : A Tribute by IBTSINDIA.COM

Our beloved Former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away at 93. As a tribute to his unparalleled achievements, let’s take a moment to reflect on how the Late PM contributed as the Prime Minister of India. In this article, you will get to know about Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Early Life, Career Journey, his big & bold decisions taken while he was serving as Prime Minister & more!

Some amazing facts about our Former Prime Minister & Bharat Ratna recipient:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee – An Introduction

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the 10th Prime Minister of India, serving 3 terms; the 1st term for 13 days in 1996, the 2nd term for 13 months from 1998-99 and the final term, from 1999 to 2004.
He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full 5-year term.
Currently, aged 93, Mr Vajpayee was the oldest living former Indian Prime Minister.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee & his Early Life

Mr. Vajpayee was born on 25 December 1924 in Gwalior, to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee.
He did his graduation from Gwalior’s Victoria College and post-graduation with an M.A. in Political Science from DAV College, Kanpur, with a first-class degree.

Political Career of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

He became Minister of External Affairs in 1977 and was the 1st person to deliver a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in Hindi.
Vajpayee formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980.

Big & Bold Decisions by Atal Bihari Vajpayee

During his term as Prime Minister, he made some very brave and bold decisions. Do you want to know about them?

#1. Pokhran Test

In May 1998, India conducted five underground nuclear tests in Pokhran desert in Rajasthan, 24 yrs after India conducted its first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha) in 1974.
This test is called Pokhran-II.
But, two weeks later, Pakistan conducted its own nuclear tests.
The response of the world leaders was a mixed one but the Pokhran nuclear tests were popular in India.

#2. Lahore Summit

Vajpayee initiated a new peace process to end disputes with Pakistan, with the historic inauguration of the Delhi-Lahore bus service in February 1999.
The result was the Lahore Declaration which initiated talks, expanded trade relations and mutual friendship between the two nations and also eased the tension created by the 1998 nuclear tests.

#3. Kargil War

In May 1999, it came to Vajpayee’s notice that militants and Pakistani soldiers had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley.
Indian army was immediately sent into Kashmir in response and the mission was named Operation Vijay.
The mission was launched in June 1999, where the Indian forces fought thousands of militants and Pakistani soldiers while facing extremely cold weather, heavy artillery shelling and deadly terrain at the high altitude.
Many soldiers died on both sides but Pakistan suffered heavy losses and finally, called its forces back, in July 1999.
The victory in Kargil made the image of Vajpayee as a bold and fearless leader.
26 July was later designated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas‘.

A. B. Vajpayee – Other Miscellaneous Facts

In December 2005, Vajpayee retired from active politics.
On 25 December 2014, the President of India announced the Bharat Ratna award, India’s highest civilian honour, to Vajpayee and his birthday, 25th December, was declared as ‘Good Governance Day’.

**Atal Bihari Vajpayee – Lines from Poem ‘मौत से ठन गई‘**

He truly was a national leader who let the youth of the whole nation towards development and self-dependency. Here are a few lines from this famous poems:

जूझने का मेरा इरादा न था,
मोड़ पर मिलेंगे इसका वादा न था,
रास्ता रोक कर वह खड़ी हो गई,
यूं लगा जिंदगी से बड़ी हो गई।
मौत की उमर क्या है? दो पल भी नहीं,
जिंदगी सिलसिला, आज कल की नहीं।
मैं जी भर जिया, मैं मन से मरूं,
लौटकर आऊंगा, कूच से क्यों डरूं?
तू दबे पांव, चोरी-छिपे से न आ,
सामने वार कर फिर मुझे आजमा।
मौत से बेखबर, जिंदगी का सफ़र,
शाम हर सुरमई, रात बंसी का स्वर।
बात ऐसी नहीं कि कोई ग़म ही नहीं,
दर्द अपने-पराए कुछ कम भी नहीं।
प्यार इतना परायों से मुझको मिला,
न अपनों से बाक़ी हैं कोई गिला।
हर चुनौती से दो हाथ मैंने किए,
आंधियों में जलाए हैं बुझते दिए।
आज झकझोरता तेज़ तूफ़ान है,
नाव भंवरों की बांहों में मेहमान है।
पार पाने का क़ायम मगर हौसला,
देख तेवर तूफ़ां का, तेवरी तन गई।
मौत से ठन गई।

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Atal Bihari Vajpayee : A Tribute by IBTSINDIA.COM