[25 December 1924 – 16 August 2018 ]
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an Indian politician, poet, and journalist who served as the 10th Prime Minister of India for three terms. He was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, and died on August 16, 2018, in New Delhi, India. Vajpayee was a leader of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was first elected to parliament in 1957 as a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), a forerunner of the BJP. He was named India’s “Best Parliamentarian” in 1994 and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 2014. Vajpayee was a forceful orator, poet, and litterateur, and his poetry was marked by nationalistic fervor and human values. He believed that poetry should awaken a sense of duty and social responsibility in people.
Educated at Victoria College (now Laxmibai College), Gwalior and DAV College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Vajpayee holds an M.A (Political Science) degree and has many literary, artistic and scientific accomplishments to his credit. He edited Rashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun. His published works include “Meri Sansadiya Yatra” (in four volumes), “Meri Ikkyavan Kavitayen”, “Sankalp Kaal”, “Shakti-se-Shanti”, “Four Decades in Parliament” (speeches in three volumes), 1957-95, “Lok Sabha Mein Atalji” (a collection of speeches), Mrityu Ya Hatya”, “Amar Balidan”, “Kaidi Kaviraj Ki Kundalian” (a collection of poems written in jail during Emergency), “New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy” (a collection of speeches delivered as External Affairs Minister during 1977-79), “Jan Sangh Aur Mussalman”, “Sansad Mein Teen Dashak” (Hindi) (speeches in Parliament, 1957-1992, three volumes) and “Amar Aag Hai” (a collection of poems, 1994).
Shri Vajpayee has participated in various social and cultural activities. He has been a Member of the National Integration Council since 1961. Some of his other associations include –
(i) President, All India Station Masters and Assistant Station Masters Association (1965-70);
(ii) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smarak Samiti (1968-84);
(iii) Deendayal Dham, Farah, Mathura, U.P; and
(iv) Janmabhoomi Smarak Samiti, 1969 onwards.
Founder-member of the erstwhile Jana Sangh (1951), President, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1968-1973), leader of the Jana Sangh parliamentary party (1955-1977) and a founder-member of the Janata Party (1977-1980), Shri Vajpayee was President, BJP (1980-1986) and the leader of BJP parliamentary party during 1980-1984, 1986 and 1993-1996. He was Leader of the Opposition throughout the term of the 11th Lok Sabha. Earlier, he was India’s External Affairs Minister in the Morarji Desai Government from March 24, 1977, to July 28, 1979.
Shri Vajpayee has served on a number of important Committees of Parliament. He was Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances (1966-67); Chairman, Public Accounts Committee (1967-70); Member, General Purposes Committee (1986); Member, House Committee and Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha (1988-90); Chairman, Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha (1990-91); Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Lok Sabha (1991-93); Chairman, Standing Committee on External Affairs (1993-96).
Shri Vajpayee participated in the freedom struggle and went to jail in 1942. He was detained during Emergency in 1975-77.
Shri Vajpayee was conferred Padma Vibhushan in 1992 in recognition of his services to the nation. He was also conferred the Lokmanya Tilak Puruskar and the Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Award for the Best Parliamentarian, both in 1994. Earlier, the Kanpur University honoured him with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in 1993. He was conferred India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2015.
Well known and respected for his love for poetry and as an eloquent speaker, Shri Vajpayee is known to be a voracious reader. He was fond of Indian music and dance.
POSITIONS HELD
1951 – Founder-Member, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (B.J.S)
1957 – Elected to 2nd Lok Sabha
1957-77 – Leader, Bharatiya Jana Sangh Parliamentary Party
1962 – Member, Rajya Sabha
1966-67 – Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances
1967 – Re-elected to 4th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
1967-70 – Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
1968-73 – President, B.J.S.
1971 – Re-elected to 5th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
1977 – Re-elected to 6th Lok Sabha (4th term)
1977-79 – Union Cabinet Minister, External Affairs
1977-80 – Founder – Member, Janata Party
1980 – Re-elected to 7th Lok Sabha (5th term)
1980-86 – President, Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.)
1980-84, 1986 and 1993-96 – Leader, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1986 – Member, Rajya Sabha; Member, General Purposes Committee
1988-90 – Member, House Committee; Member, Business Advisory Committee
1990-91- Chairman, Committee on Petitions
1991- Re-elected to 10th Lok Sabha (6th term)
1991-93 – Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
1993-96 – Chairman, Committee on External Affairs; Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
1996 – Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (7th term)
1998 – Atal Ji again became Prime Minister for a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999.
1999 – In 1999 general elections BJP-led NDA won 303 seats out of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha securing a comfortable and stable majority. On 13 October 1999, Sri Vajpayee Ji took oath as Prime Minister of India for the third time.
What Were Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Major Achievements As Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s major achievements as Prime Minister of India include:
Pokhran-II nuclear tests:
During his tenure as Prime Minister, India carried out the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, asserting India’s status as a nuclear power
Improved diplomatic relations with Pakistan:
Vajpayee sought to improve relations with Pakistan, traveling to Lahore by bus to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
Economic growth:
Vajpayee’s leadership brought about steady economic growth in the country, which ultimately enabled India to achieve self-reliance in food production and other sectors
Telecom sector reforms:
When Vajpayee took over as Prime Minister in 1998, the telecom sector was monopolized. He took various steps to free up the sector and expand it throughout the entire country. The NDA government under Vajpayee released the telecom policy of 1999, which was instrumental in bringing up private players and structural reforms in the sector, leading to significant growth
Awards and Honors:
Vajpayee was conferred with the title of Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 2014
These achievements, among others, have contributed to Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s legacy as a visionary leader and an ardent defender of India’s interests.
What Were Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Policies Towards Neighbouring Countries
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during his tenure as Prime Minister of India, pursued a foreign policy that aimed to improve diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. Some of his key policies towards neighbouring countries include:
Peace with Pakistan:
Vajpayee sought to improve relations with Pakistan and made significant efforts towards normalizing ties. This was exemplified by his historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999 in an attempt to foster peace and cooperation
Diplomatic engagement with China:
Vajpayee also made efforts to normalize relations with China, which had been strained since the 1962 Sino-Indian War. His government worked towards engaging China diplomatically
Emphasis on good neighbourly relations:
Vajpayee’s government consistently sought to build good neighbourly relations in the South Asian region, emphasizing India’s special responsibility as the largest country in South Asia
Vajpayee’s foreign policy approach was characterized by a balance of traditionalism and a willingness to engage in diplomatic initiatives to foster peace and cooperation with India’s neighbours
How Did Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Policies Towards Neighbouring Countries Differ From His Predecessors?
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policies towards neighboring countries differed from his predecessors in several ways:
Peace with Pakistan:
Vajpayee made significant efforts to improve relations with Pakistan, including his historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999, demonstrating a commitment to seeking peace and cooperation
Emphasis on good neighborly relations:
Vajpayee’s government consistently sought to build good neighborly relations in the South Asian region, emphasizing India’s special responsibility as the largest country in South Asia
Diplomatic engagement with China:
Vajpayee also worked towards normalizing relations with China, which had been strained since the 1962 Sino-Indian War, demonstrating a willingness to engage in diplomatic initiatives to foster peace and cooperation with India’s neighbors
Vajpayee’s approach was characterized by a balance of traditionalism and a willingness to engage in diplomatic initiatives to foster peace and cooperation with India’s neighbors, setting his policies apart from those of his predecessors
How Did Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Policies Towards Neighbouring Countries Impact India’s Economy
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policies towards neighboring countries had a significant impact on India’s economy in several ways:
Improved diplomatic relations:
Vajpayee’s policies led to improved relations with neighboring countries, which in turn facilitated economic cooperation and trade. For instance, his efforts to normalize ties with Pakistan and China opened up new opportunities for trade and investment
Economic reforms:
Vajpayee’s government continued the economic reforms initiated in 1991, which helped India break free from its Soviet shackles and integrate with the global economy. This led to increased foreign investment and economic growth in the country.
Infrastructure development:
Vajpayee’s policies towards neighbouring countries also contributed to the development of infrastructure in India, such as the Golden Quadrilateral highway project, which transformed India’s road network and facilitated trade and commerce
Nuclear power:
Vajpayee’s decision to make India a nuclear power in 1998 had significant economic implications, as it brought India closer to the West and opened up new opportunities for technological collaboration and economic growth
Overall, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policies towards neighboring countries played a crucial role in shaping India’s economic growth and fostering diplomatic relations with its neighbors during his tenure as Prime Ministe
What Were The Major Trade Agreements Signed By India During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Tenure
During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister of India, several major trade agreements were signed, which contributed to the growth of India’s trade relations with various countries. Some of these agreements include:
India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (1998):
In 1998, despite the Commerce Ministry’s resistance to enter a free-trade agreement with Sri Lanka, Vajpayee went ahead with it. This decision aided in opening the deadlock on South Asian Free Trade, which was signed in January 2004
India-US Trade Relations:
During Vajpayee’s tenure, trade between India and the United States grew significantly. When Vajpayee became Prime Minister in 1998, trade between the two countries stood at $12.2 billion. Throughout his tenure until 2004, trade in goods grew at an annual average rate of 10.8%. In 2000, US President Bill Clinton visited India, and the joint statement issued by Clinton and PM Vajpayee highlighted the growth in trade and ties between the two countries
India-Iran Chabahar Port Agreement:
Vajpayee foresaw the problems that might come from the geopolitical rivalry between India and China, particularly in safeguarding India’s economic engagement in the region on a broad level. The Chabahar port in Iran and the decision to enter the tripartite agreement of building rail in Russia were part of Vajpayee’s efforts to expand India’s economic ties with the region
These trade agreements and initiatives played a crucial role in shaping India’s trade relations during Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister
