Sidhu in Pakistan: will “thoko tali”

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Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday preferred to cross the border to attend Pakistan cricket legend and his “friend” Imran Khan’s swearing-in ceremony, to be held on Saturday, over paying last tributes to his “mentor” in politics Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

All enthused, Sidhu, the Local Government Minister in the Congress Government in Punjab, crossed the Indo-Pak border at Wagah in the afternoon, when the nation was biding a final adieu to its “most loved” Prime Minister.

Not only the leaders from across the parties, but representatives from India’s neighbouring nations including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, have converged in the national capital to attend Vajpayee’s last rites.

But before leaving for Lahore, he did not forget to offer his condolences on Vajpayee’s death. “I had spiritual relations with Vajpayee sahib. Cutting across party lines, there is respect for this wonderful statesman. He elevated the BJP party from mere two seats to the majority. His demise is an irreparable loss for all of us. Vajpayee sahib will be remembered as an institution,” he said.

In an interview, Sidhu had once revealed that he had contested and won in Amritsar in 2004 Lok Sabha elections at 14 days’ notice on receiving a phone call from Vajpayee.

Sidhu, who was more than excited to attend Imran’s swearing-in, considered himself “fortunate to have a chance to be a conduit between both India and Pakistan to ease the tension and will try to work towards strengthening the trade and cultural ties between the two nations”.

For the occasion, Sidhu has got arranged a special ‘Pashmina shawl’ for Imran as a gift. “I am excited to meet my dear friend with whom I shared relationship for the past 35 years,” he said adding that since “I am representing India, this gesture is on behalf of India for Imran.”

After getting mandatory clearance from the Union Ministry of External Affairs, Sidhu was overwhelmed to receive a call from the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. “Being a law abiding citizen, I am very disciplined when it comes to the norms of a nation. I waited for clearance of my Pakistan visit. I was surprised when madam Sushma called me personally to intimate that the requisite clearance has been granted,” he said.

Sidhu has got 15-day visa for Lahore and Islamabad. Sources revealed that he will be meeting Khan on Friday night.

Earlier, Sidhu had hailed the Pak Prime Minister designate as a “man of character” and hoped that he would mend relations between the two countries.

“Men of genius are admired, men of power are feared, but men of character are trusted. Khan Sahab is a man of character. He can be trusted. Sportsmen build bridges, break barriers, unite people,” he had said.

However, Sidhu’s decision to attend Imran’s swearing-in has attracted criticism from Shiv Sena, and also from BJP senior leader Subramanium Swamy who said that the former cricketer “is “not mentally stable”, and SAD president Sukhbir Badal who advised him “to stay back in Pakistan only”.

Misty-eyed Opposition at Vajpayee’s funeral

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Nirmala Sitharaman helps Manmohan Singh as Congress president Rahul Gandhi looks on.

Leaders remember how Vajpayee maintained good relations with them

In death, as in life, veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee played the role of a unifier as some of the top Opposition leaders, including Manmohan Singh, who became Prime Minister after him, and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, were among the first few leaders who arrived at his funeral.

Samajwadi Party (SP) stalwart Mulayam Singh was not only at the cremation but also visited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office to bid farewell to his long-time political opponent. Such tributes by ideological opponents, however, have also put into sharp focus a changing political culture, where a different political ideology generates adversarial relations.

“Mr. Vajpayee was infinitely more accommodating and large-hearted. He was not petty, vindictive or full of rage as the present dispensation. He was a product of the Nehruvian era,” senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.

Mr. Ramesh, who recently authored a book on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, rejected any suggestion that the “present dispensation” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was like the Congress under Mrs. Gandhi, when “brute parliamentary majority decided policy”.

“No. Indira Gandhi or Atal Bihari Vajpaye had many front or back channels. There was mutual respect,” he said, adding that it was not found in the current political discourse.

This seemed to be in evidence on Thursday. When the Congress chief’s microphone went silent while addressing the Sanjhi Viraasat (common heritage) convention in Delhi, Mr. Gandhi joked that BJP president Amit Shah had tried to “silence” him.

Senior leaders point out that even when the Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power, the Congress was a fierce opponent. The party had brought out a “chargesheet” against his government on defence scams such as the “coffin scam”, the Tehelka tapes and the allotment of government land to Sangh affiliates.

But politics did not result in any kind of personal animosity. “His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life,” former Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in her tribute to the former Prime Minister.

‘Credit where due’

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “He never hesitated to give full credit to Opposition leaders whenever due.” “It is not [to speak of] the fact that Vajpayeeji had many friends — the fact that he had no enemies was his distinguishing hallmark,” former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said.

In tribute to Vajpayee, PM Modi walks the extra mile

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) walks behind a truck pulling the coffin with the body of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a funeral procession in New Delhi on August 17, 2018.
Three-time Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died August 16, sparking tributes from across the political spectrum as current leader Narendra Modi mourned the “irreplaceable loss” of the respected statesman.

In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Modi joined the sea of people who walked down from the BJP headquarters up to the Smriti Sthal, a distance of roughly 5km

He may not be a true follower of the style of politics that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee believed in, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a rare tribute to the three-time BJP PM by covering his final journey on foot on Friday.

In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Modi joined the sea of people who walked down from the BJP headquarters up to the Smriti Sthal, a distance of roughly 5 km. By doing so, the Prime Minister set aside the protocol and apprehensions over his security. This was a silent gesture of PM Modi to show how much he loved and respected BJP stalwart AB Vajpayee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying his last respects to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the cremation ground in New Delhi on August 17, 2018.

Vajpayee’s funeral procession started from the BJP headquarters on the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, and then took the Bahadur Shah Zaffar Marg, crossed Delhi Gate and Daryaganj, to take the Netaji Subhash Marg, before reaching Smriti Sthal at Shanti Van.

Social media was flooded with posts appreciating PM Modi’s gesture towards the former PM.

बलरामजी दस टंडन पूरे राजकीय सम्मान के साथ पंचतत्व में विलीन

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फोटो राकेश शाह

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

 

 

फोटो राकेश शाह

Entire nation will mark respect to ‘Atal Ji’ on his demise

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Chandigarh, 16th August 2018:

All offices/ Boards/ Corporations of Chandigarh Administration and Educational Institutions of the Union Territory and Panjab University Campus and all its affiliated colleges of Chandigarh and Punjab shall remain closed on 17.08.2018 as a mark of respect to Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India

Punjab & Haryana High court along with Vidhan Sabha  of both states has also notified about the holiday.

Haryana and Punjab has declared 17 August as holiday under negotiable instrument act.

Examination, meeting and other related activities also stand postponed till new dates announced by the University in this regard

ह्यूमन लाइफ स्कूल के बेघर घुमंतू बच्चों ने धूमधाम के साथ मनाया स्वतंत्रता दिवस, मिला जनसहयोग

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15 अगस्त , जयपुर . अनाथ, बेघर, घुमंतू एवं झुग्गी बस्तियों में रहने वाले अत्यंत निर्धन एवं सुविधाहीन गरीब परिवारों के शिक्षा से वञ्चित बच्चों को शिक्षित बनने एवं नशामुक्ति के क्षेत्र में कार्य करने वाली प्रमुख समाज सेवी संस्था “ह्यूमन लाइफ फाउंडेशन” द्वारा स्वतंत्रता दिवस कार्यक्रम का आयोजन किया गया . इस कार्यक्रम में फाउंडेशन द्वारा प्रतापनगर एवं महल रोड (जगतपुरा) जयपुर क्षेत्र में स्थित झुग्गी बस्तियों में निःशुल्क संचालित “ह्यूमन लाइफ स्कूल” (चैरिटी स्कूल) की दोनों शाखाओं में पढने वाले कुल ७५ गरीब बच्चों ने भाग लिया.
कार्यक्रम की शुरुआत धजारोहण फिर राष्ट्रगान और पुनश्च कार्यक्रम अध्यक्ष रेणु सिंह द्वारा भारतमाता के चित्र पर माल्यार्पण करने के साथ हुए के साथ हुई. इस अवसर बच्चों की सत्प्रेरणा एवं सहयोग के लिए मुख्य अतिथि सरदार श्री के .पी. सिंह (गारमेंट एक्सपोर्टर), कार्यक्रम अध्यक्ष श्रीमति रेणु सिंह, विशिष्ट अतिथि लोयंस क्लब के श्री बी.पी मूंदड़ा (सी.ए) एवं श्रीमति सीमा दया सहित श्रीमति सीमा चौधरी, श्रीमति बगडा, श्रीमति सुधा मूंदड़ा, श्री प्रदीप जैन सी.ए., श्री ओमप्रकाश गुप्ता, श्री अशोक अग्रवाल जैसे समाज के कई गणमान्य नागरिक व्यक्ति उपस्थित थे. ध्वजारोहण के बाद संस्था के सक्रिय सदस्य श्री ललित जैन, हेमराज चतुर्वेदी एवं रेखा मैडम द्वारा समस्त अतिथियों का माल्यार्पण करके स्वागत किया गया.
इस कार्यक्रम में बच्चों ने बढ़ चढ़कर हिस्सा लिया और कविता, देशभक्ति गाने, भारतमाता के भजन एवं देशभक्ति गीतों पर नृत्य परफॉरमेंस करके माहौल को देशक्तिमय बना दिया. छोटे छोटे की परफॉरमेंस देखकर समस्त अतिथि, स्रोता एवं उपस्थित बच्चे, देशप्रेम की भावना से ओतप्रोत हो गए. जब बच्चों ने जब ‘जागो तो इक बार जागो जागो रे’… गाने का संयुक्तगायन किया तो सभी बच्चो में देशभक्ति और देश पर मर मिटने जज्बा पैदा हो गया. घूमर .., लहरियों सतरंगी…. देश रंगीला रंगीला…. सुनो गौर से दुनिया वालो…. जैसे मधुर गीतों पर बच्चों की डांस परफॉरमेंस को देखकर सभी अतिथियों ने बहुत तारीफ की, इस अवसर पर बच्चों ने प्राणायाम एवं कठिन कठिन योगासन करके भारतमाता की जय और वन्देमातरम् के नारे लगाये. जिन बच्चों ने कार्यक्रम में भाग लिया उन सभी बच्चों को मुख्यातिथि की ओर से पानी की बोतलें गिफ्ट की गई.
कार्यक्रम के अंत में मुख्य अतिथि श्री के पी सिंह जी ने बच्चो को संवोधित करते हुए कहा की पढ़ लिखकर ही तुम आगे बढ़ सकते हो इसलिए पढाई को जीवन का नित्य हिस्सा बनाना. विशिष्ट अतिथि लोयंस क्लब के श्रीमति मूंदड़ा ने पूर्व राष्ट्रपति अब्दुल कलाम एवं प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी का उदाहारण देकर गरीब श्री बच्चों को भांति भांति से बच्चों को आगे बढ़ने एवं हर समय चहरे पर खुशी बनाये रखने के लिए प्रेरित किया..और घुमंतू एवं गरीव तबके के लिए ट्रस्ट द्वारा किये जारहे सेवाकार्यों को महान एवं राष्ट्रनिर्माण का कार्य बताकर ट्रस्ट के फाउंडर हेमराज चतुर्वेदी एवं सम्पूर्ण टीम की बहुत तारीफ की. , इसी क्रम में विशिष्ट अतिथि श्रीमति सीमा दया ने सेवा कार्य को प्रसंसनीय बताया और बच्चो के की शिक्षा , स्वस्थ एवं स्वच्छता पर बल देने हुए बच्चो को निरोग रहने एवं बड़े होकर देश सेवाका सन्देश दिया. कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता कर रही श्रीमति रेनू सिंह ने बच्चो को अशिक्षा ,कुपोषण जैसी समस्याओं पर बल देते हुए शिक्षा लेने वाले एवं इन बच्चों को दोपहर के भोजन की उपलब्धता पर बल दिया और इस हेतु संस्था की स्वयं की किचिन सेटअप करने के लिए उन्होंने कुछ बर्तन भी भेंट किये. जिससे की फ़ूड रिलीफ कार्य को गति मिलसके किया जा सके.
राष्ट्रीय पर्व पर खुसी के इस अवसर पर कार्यक्रम के अंत में सभी बच्चो को मुख्य अतिथि जी के आर्थिक सहयोग से मिठाई, फल, फ्रूटी जूस, श्री मूंदड़ा की ओर से पानी की बोतलें, स्कूल गवर्निंग बोर्ड के अध्यक्ष श्री रमेश कुमार की ओरे से सभी बच्चों को पेंसिल बॉक्स वितरित किये गए. इन सबको पाकर बच्चे बहुत ही खुश और आनंदित हुए. आज उनके अन्दर भी हमने देश के के लिए कुछ कर गुजरने का जज्बा आसानी से देखा जा सकता था. और भारतीय समाज में वैचारिक परिवर्तन हो रहा है , हिन्दू समाज के हृदय में सेवाकार्यो के प्रति सकारात्मकता आने लगी है इसका उदहारण तब देखने को मिला जब हमारे एक पडौसी ने जगदीश की प्रसादी के नातेसभी बच्चों को खाना भी खिलाया… तो फिर बात ही क्या है ? बच्चे भी खुश….. और बाँटने बाले भगत भी खुश … और भगवान भी खुश… और हम भी खुश !
ह्यूमन लाइफ फाउंडेशन के फाउंडर हेमराज चतुर्वेदी ने बताया कि ट्रस्ट के सेवा कार्यों से प्रभावित होकर अतिथियों ने स्कूल को आर्थिक सहयोग भी दिया. श्री प्रदीप जैन सी.ए., श्री ओमप्रकाश गुप्ता एस .ई. एवं श्री अशोक अग्रवाल जी तीनों सहयोगियों ने मिलकर ११,०००/- रूपये का सहयोग प्रदान किया. इसी तरह श्रीमति बगडा ने भी ५०००/- का सहयोग देकर दूसरों सक्षम लोगों के लिए प्रेरणा स्रोत बनीं.
हेमराज चतुर्वेदी ने कार्यक्रम के अंत में सभी सहयोगियों, अतिथियों , बच्चों, शिक्षिकों एवं वोलुन्टीयरस को धन्यवाद् एवं स्वतंत्रता दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ दी.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Left for Heavenly Abode

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Atal Bihari Vajpayee ,93, left for Heavenly Abode  today at05:05  pm  according to an official declaration .

 

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continues to be on life support system since Wednesday and as per hospital sources at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) his condition “is very critical”.

A press release from the AIIMS on Thursday morning said: “Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s condition continues to be the same. He is critical and is on life support systems.”

On August 16 morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited AIIMS to enquire about the health condition of Mr. Vajpayee, his second visit in less than 24 hours. Mr. Modi had visited the hospital on Wednesday evening to enquire about the BJP leader’s condition.

On Thursday morning, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and BJP leaders, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh, party president Amit Shah and BJP veteran L.K. Advani, also visited the AIIMS to enquire about him.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an iconic leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for his cultural moderation, liberalism and political reasonableness. He became the Prime Minister of India thrice. It was during his tenure that India successfully conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran and renewed hopes for peace between India and Pakistan emerged with the start of the New Delhi-Lahore bus service. His government has been till date the only non-Congress government to stay in power for five years. Besides being a seasoned politician and outstanding parliamentarian, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is also a renowned poet and a highly popular personality across the political spectrum.

The Narendra Modi Government has announced the conferment of Bharat Ratna on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His birthday on 25 December has been declared as ‘Good Governance Day’. Famous for his oratorical skills.

Early life

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born in a middle-class Brahmin family to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee on 25 December, 1924 in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). His father was a poet and a school teacher. Vajpayee did his schooling from the Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gwalior. Later, he studied at Victoria College, Gwalior – now Laxmi Bai College, for his graduation. It was at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College, Kanpur that Vajpayee completed his post-graduation in Political Science.

Joining as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in 1939, Vajpayee became a pracharak (full-time worker) in 1947. He also worked for Rashtradharma Hindi monthly, Panchjanya Hindi weekly and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun.

Vajpayee chose to stay bachelor for whole life.

Political Career

Atal Bihari Vajpayee began his career in politics as a freedom fighter. Later he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), a Hindu right-wing political party, under the leadership of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He became national secretary of BJS in charge of the Northern region.

As the new leader of BJS, Vajpayee was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1957 from Balrampur. He rose to become the national president of the Jana Sangh in 1968. Supported by his colleagues Nanaji Deshmukh, Balraj Madhok and L K Advani, Vajpayee took the Jana Sangh to greater glory.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee participated in the Total Revolution movement launched by Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) against the Internal Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. In 1977, Jana Sangh became a part of the Janata Party, the grand-alliance against the Indira Gandhi government.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee became a Union Minister in 1977 when Morarji Desai-led Janata Party coalition came to power for the first time. He became the Minister of External Affairs. As foreign minister, Vajpayee became the first person to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in Hindi. His career as a minister was short-lived as he resigned from his post following the resignation of Morarji Desai in 1979. But by then, Vajpayee had established himself as a political leader.

Vajpayee along with Lal Krishna Advani, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and others from the BJS and Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. He became a strong critic of the Congress (I) government that followed the fall of Janata Party government.

Vajpayee did not support Operation Blue Star and raised his voice against the anti-Sikh violence after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards.

The BJP won two parliamentary seats in the 1984 elections. Vajpayee functioned as BJP President and Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament. Known for his liberal views, Vajpayee bemoaned the demolition of the Babri Mosque on 6 December, 1992 and declared it as the BJP’s “worst miscalculation”.

As Prime Minister of India

By 1984 elections, the BJP had established itself as an important political party in Indian politics. Vajpayee was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of India following the 1996 General Elections, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha. However, the government collapsed after only 13 days after his government could not gather support from other parties to obtain a majority. He thus became the shortest serving Prime Minister in India.

The BJP-led coalition government came back to power as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 1998. Vajpayee was again sworn in as the Prime Minister.

Vajpayee’s second term as PM is known for Nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran desert in Rajasthan, in May 1998. Vajpayee also pushed for peace process with Pakistan. He inaugurated the historic Delhi-Lahore bus service in February 1999. He also pitched for resolving the Kashmir dispute and other conflicts with Pakistan.

But Pakistan ditched India by launching Kargil War, wherein Pakistani soldiers infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley and captured border hilltops around the town of Kargil.

Indian army units, under Operation Vijay, fought Pakistani intruders braving heavy artillery shelling amidst extremely cold weather, and treacherous hilly terrain, and ultimately emerged victorious. However, Vajpayee’s government lasted 13 months when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) withdrew its support to the government in mid-1999.

In the following election, however, the NDA came back with full majority and Vajpayee was able to complete five years (1999-2004) in office as a non-Congress PM for the first time. Atal Bihari Vajpayee took oath as Prime Minister of India for the third time on 13 October 1999.

However, his third term also saw India yielding to terrorists when in December 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC 814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi was hijacked and taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The government had to release dread terrorists including Maulana Masood Azhar from prison to secure the freedom of passengers. On the brighter side, the Vajpayee government introduced many economic and infrastructural reforms, including encouraging the private sector and foreign investments. It also undertook National Highway Development Projects and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Vajpayee adopted pro-business, free-market reforms approach to boost India’s economic development.

In March 2000, Vajpayee signed the Historic Vision Document during the visit of the then US President Bill Clinton. The Declaration incorporated several strategic issues, apart from pitching for expansion in trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee again tried for peace with Pakistan during the Agra summit with the then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, but the talks failed to achieve any breakthrough as Musharraf declined to leave aside the Kashmir issue.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime also witnessed an attack on Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001, when Pakistan-supported terrorists stormed the Parliament building in Delhi. They were ultimately foiled in their attempts by the Indian security forces.

Vajpayee as PM was pained when communal riots broke out in Gujarat in 2002 after the Godhra train tragedy.

Retirement

The 2004 General Election brought about the downfall of the NDA, which lost almost half its seats and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) assumed the reins of power. Vajpayee refused to take up the position of the Leader of the Opposition paving the way for Lal Krishna Advani’s leadership of BJP. He now lives in retirement and seclusion owing to ill health.

Awards

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj (far right) hand over the Liberation War award to Vajpayee’s family members.
  • Padma Vibhushan in 1992
  • D. Lit. from Kanpur University in 1993
  • Lokmanya Tilak Award in 1994
  • Best Parliamentarian Award in 1994
  • Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant Award in 1994
  • Bharat Ratna in 2015
  • Liberation War award (Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sanmanona) in 2015

Facts and Information about Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Born 25 December 1924 (age 93) at Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
Parents Krishna Devi, Krishna Bihari Vajpayee
Education Victoria College (Now Laxmibai College), Gwalior ; DAV College, Kanpur .
Marriage Unmarried but has an adopted daughter, Namita
Recognition Known for his liberal social, cultural and political views
Awards Padma Vibhushan (1992), Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the Kanpur University (1993) and Bharat Ratna (2014)
Other than Politics An acclaimed poet, journalist and a brilliant orator
Political career Started as a freedom fighter; took part in Quit India Movement in 1942. Met Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee, took over BJS leadership after Mookerjee’s deathFounded the Bharatiya Janata Party (the BJP), along with his colleagues such as Lal Krishna Advani and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 1980. Served as the president of this party, during the first five years.

Served as a Member of Parliament for 50 years. Was elected 10 times to Lok Sabha beginning with 1957, represented six different constituencies.
As Prime Minister Elected as the Prime Minister of India thrice: 1996 – Vajpayee became Prime Minister for the first time but had to resign in just 13 days after the BJP failed to get the support of other parties.1998 – Headed the National Democratic Party (NDA) government as the Prime Minister for the second time but could rule only for 13 months when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) withdrew its support.

1999 – Completed his full five-year term, becoming the longest serving non-Congress Prime Minister at the Centre (13 October 1999- 19 May 2004).

Vajpayee retired from politics in 2005.
Legacy – In May 1998, the Vajpayee government conducted five underground nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan.– Strongly pitching for India-Pakistan friendship, he inaugurated a bus service from Delhi to Lahore in Pakistan in 1999.

– His government set out on a number of economic reforms and encouraged foreign investment and privatisation.

– Asked the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to abide by his ‘Rajdharma’ after the Gujarat communal riots.

Ajit Wadekar, Former India Cricket Team Captain, Dies At 77

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Former Indian cricket team captain Ajit Wadekar died at the age of 77 in Mumbai after a prolonged battle with cancer. The left-hander was well known for leading the side to Test victories over West Indies and England on foreign soil in the 1970s.

Under Wadekar’s captaincy, India won over five matches in the West Indies in the early 1970s, and then defeated England in a three-match series. He led India to a third successive series victory, beating England cricket team once again – this time, 2–1 in a five-match series in 1972–73.

Harsha Bhogle

✔@bhogleharsha

So many memories of Ajit Wadekar. None more powerful than leading India to series wins in 1971 in England and the West Indies. Much admired, much loved. Page in Indian cricket and in our memories.

Wadekar represented India in 37 Test matches and scored 2113 runs with one century and 14 fifties. He continued to be the captain of the Indian team that toured England in 1974 and represented the national team in their first ever One-Day International. Playing against England, Wadekar made 67 runs, but still ended on the losing side.
He played just one more ODI encounter in his career and with 73 runs from 2 matches, he decided to retire from international cricket following the team’s dismal show in the series.

After his retirement, Wadekar also served as the manager of the Indian cricket team in the 1990s, alongside captain Mohammad Azharuddin. He was one of the few Indian cricketers to represent the country as Test player, captain, coach/manager and the chairman of selectors.

Atal’s Health: The BJP has reportedly called off all the meetings scheduled tomorrow

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Former Indian Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee is said to be critical. The veteran politician is being treated since June 12 following a Urinary Tract Infection. Vajpayee is also said to be battling kidney issues and dementia because of his diabetes.

According to the media release by AIIMS “Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been admitted for the last weeks at AIIMS. Unfortunately his condition has worsened over the last 24 hours,” AIIMS said in a media released.

“His condition is critical and he is on life support system,” the release added.

Senior politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Smriti Irani paid the ailing leader a visit at the hospital late this evening to inquire about his health.

The BJP has reportedly called off all the meetings scheduled tomorrow. According to reports, BJP’s innauguration event in VIjayawada too stands cancelled as of now.

This has raised concerns over Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s  failing health. The latest report from AIIMS state that the Vajpayee is in a critical condition. His health is said to be deteriorating by the minute, according to doctors.

Supporters, party workers and well wishers of the senior BJP stalwart are now praying hoping for him to recover. Vajpayee is 93 years old and has been battling health issues for long now.

According to latest reports, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is said to be on life support and AIIMS is expected to release a health bulletin anytime soon. Here’s a look at the talk on Vajpayee health on social media.

 

 

 

 

No official update by the AIIMS, team of doctors are monitoring his condition.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Wednesday evening to inquire about the condition of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is undergoing treatment there.

There was no official update by the AIIMS, where a team of doctors are monitoring his condition.

Modi reached the hospital at around 7.15 pm and spent about 50 minutes there.

Earlier in the evening, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani also visited the hospital to check on Vajpayee.

Vajpayee was admitted at the AIIMS on 11 June with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.

The 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party leader (BJP), a diabetic, has only one functional kidney.

He had suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia.