Today, the entire nation is paying homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India and a great statesman. At Sadaiv Atal Samadhi in Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several other senior leaders paid their respects.
Tribute To Vajpayee: Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister of the country, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, served as Prime Minister from March 16 to March 31, 1996, and from March 19, 1998, to May 13, 2004. In March 2015, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honor. He passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. On his death anniversary today, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to him at Sadaiv Atal Samadhi.
Nation's Tribute on Death Anniversary
This morning, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at Sadaiv Atal Samadhi. On this occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and many other leaders also paid their respects. Vajpayee Ji's adopted daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, also paid homage to her father.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) – "A humble tribute to Atal Ji on his death anniversary. His dedication and commitment towards the all-round progress of India inspires everyone to build a developed and self-reliant India."
Political Journey of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was such a personality in Indian politics who built the organization from Jan Sangh to Bharatiya Janata Party at the national level. He became Prime Minister twice –
- First time from March 16, 1996 to March 31, 1996,
- Second time from March 19, 1998 to May 13, 2004.
His second term was historic, in which he gave the country stability, economic reforms, and global recognition. Vajpayee became the first leader after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three consecutive Lok Sabha elections and become Prime Minister. At the same time, after Indira Gandhi, he was the only Prime Minister who won the party three times in a row.
Birth and Early Life
Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's father's name was Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and mother's name was Krishna Devi. From his student life, he was interested in politics and literature. Vajpayee, who was skilled in oratory, continued to influence both the public and the opposition with his powerful voice.
Vajpayee's parliamentary career spanned more than four decades. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament from Balrampur in 1957 and remained active in Parliament for a long time thereafter. In the Janata Party government of 1977, he became the Foreign Minister and strengthened India's identity on the global stage by giving a speech in Hindi at the United Nations General Assembly.
While being the Prime Minister, he started schemes like National Highway Development Project and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the benefits of which the country is still reaping today. By conducting the Pokhran nuclear test, he established India as a global power.
Awards and Honors
In view of his contribution to nation building, Vajpayee was honored with many awards.
- He received Padma Vibhushan in the year 1992.
- In 1993, Kanpur University awarded him an honorary doctorate.
- He also received the Lokmanya Tilak Award and the Best Parliamentarian Award.
In the year 2014, the Government of India announced to award him the country's highest civilian honor Bharat Ratna, and in March 2015, he was formally presented with this honor.
Affection for Literature and Poetry
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not only a politician but also a sensitive poet. His poems are filled with patriotism, compassion, and life philosophy. His writing gave a human touch to Indian politics. He passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. Every year, on his death anniversary, leaders and citizens of the country pay tribute to him at Sadaiv Atal Samadhi in Delhi.
