New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died at a New Delhi hospital on Thursday. He was 93 years old.
#WATCH live from the residence of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee in Delhi. https://t.co/pUxKBRM1zz
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
The Central Government has announced a seven-day mourning period throughout India.
Central Government announces seven day state mourning throughout India, during this period the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India where its regularly flown. State funeral will also be accorded. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/wKPBN7v1ia
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
All Delhi govt offices, schools (private & govt) and other institutions shall remain closed tomorrow, as mark of respect for our dear departed Atal ji: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/TQHvQCznPZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
The former prime minister was admitted to the AIIMS hospital on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.
The funeral will be held tomorrow at Smriti Sthal. A half-day holiday in all Central government offices and CPSUs across the country as well as Delhi government offices has been declared.
The funeral will be held tomorrow at Smriti Sthal. Half day holiday in the afternoon of day of funeral in all Central government offices and CPSUs across the country as well as Delhi government offices. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/zj4tnbM0XO
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
For now, his body has been taken to his home.
Delhi: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee have been brought to his residence. pic.twitter.com/vYHsNsuwfZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
His body is to be kept at BJP headquarters in New Delhi tomorrow, for final tributes.
The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee will be kept at the BJP headquarters in Delhi tomorrow for last tributes. pic.twitter.com/xe7koN0tJv
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Punjab has also declared a state of mourning.
All Punjab Offices/Boards/Corporation and Educational Institutions of the state will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/v5UyTPEvJi
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
The Punjab Government has also declared three-day mourning in memory of #AtalBihariVajpayee https://t.co/7BCroa6PQf
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Earlier in the day, a stream of party leaders headed to the hospital to enquire about his health, which had been critical for nearly 24 hours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a series of tweets expressed his grief at Vajpayee's passing.
ARCHIVE: When Prime Minister #AtalBihariVaajpayee met BJP worker Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/VgmxgJaKrZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.
It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
Modi called Vajpayee 'irreplaceable'.
Atal Ji's passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
Vajpayee was one of India's most admired politicians. There was no secret behind this mass appeal. It was just that he was simple, straightforward and honest.
ANI ARCHIVES: #WATCH Former PM #AtalBihariVaajpayee dancing at a program. pic.twitter.com/HXMBiCB18h
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
If his inimitable oratory, repartee and ready wit tugged at the hearts of the masses, his patience and width of vision influenced the minds of many a head of the state. Whether it was international affairs or matters of national interest, Vajpayee spoke with authority. And he spoke without mincing his words, especially where criticism was due. In recognition to his services to the country, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Best Parliamentarian Award in 1994.
A bachelor, Vajpayee had during the India-Pakistan partition in 1947, taken a vow not to get married. And he said time and again that he never regretted the decision. Sensitive at heart, he was never attracted to the materialistic. His ambition was that people spoke well of him.
ALSO READ: Vajpayee: Last of India’s statesman-politicians
A skilled parliamentarian and statesman, he was born on December 25, 1925. Son of a poet and writer Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, his grandfather Shyam Lal Vajpayee was a Sanskrit scholar and poet. Vajpayee grew up in Gwalior and later moved to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to do his Masters in political science from Kanpur University.
Interestingly, both Vajpayee and his father enrolled themselves together for law when the former decided to do law and the latter had retired from service. Young Vajpayee felt slightly uncomfortable and requested the professor to transfer him to another section. The reason he gave was that he had to travel some distance to fetch milk and could not reach class in time. But the father-son duo stayed in the same hostel room for two years. In his nonchalant style, Vajpayee laughed and said, “People used to come from other villages to see us.”
He became a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and when the organisation decided to launch a monthly journal, he was asked to edit it. Simultaneously, he edited Panchjanya, the RSS mouthpiece and the daily Swadesh. As the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi witnessed a ban on RSS, Vajpayee went to Kashi and started editing a journal named Chetna. In 1953, he was posted to Delhi as the editor of a daily newspaper Veer Arjun.
As a journalist, he accompanied Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, founder of the RSS, to Kashmir, where Mukherjee offered satyagraha and was arrested and imprisoned. Vajpayee was told to go back to Delhi. He quit journalism and plunged headlong into politics.
Vajpayee was first elected to Parliament in 1957 from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh. On the first day of the Parliament, although happy and apprehensive, he was given a back seat and denied the opportunity to speak due to the party’s strength in the House. Not one to let things pass, he made a suggestion by writing to the Speaker and the leader of the House, Jawaharlal Nehru. His request to pay homage to the martyrs of 1857 before the start of the proceedings was promptly accepted. Steadily, he made his way and excelled in foreign affairs. He was a Lok sabha MP from 1967-1984 and later a member of the Rajya Sabha.
His first stint as Prime Minister in 1977 lasted for 13 days. Subsequent elections saw him as Prime Minister again. This time the term lasted 13 months. The results of the 13th Lok Sabha elections in 1999, finally made him take oath of office for the third time.
Vajpayee was fond of poetry. He first wrote poetry when he was in Grade 9. He had a few books in Hindi to his credit including Amar Aag Hai and Meri Ekavan Kavitayein.
Seeing technological revolutions and youngsters hands-on with the latest technology, in the early 2000s, Vajpayee had remarked, “I should have been younger at this stage. These are challenging times.”
He believed in changing with the times and felt modernisation was always for good. But a detached person as far as luxuries were concerned, he is known to have left the office immediately after his 13-month government fell. When an aide remarked, “What is the protocol?”, Vajpayee retorted, “What protocol? Let’s pack the bags and leave.”
- with inputs from agencies
India mourns the loss of its former PM
Tributes poured in from all quarters as the country mourned the three-time office stalwart. Here's a look at some reactions on Twitter.
Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him. #AtalBihariVajpayee
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2018
I am one of those millions of Indians who drew inspiration from Atalji’s life and contribution. I cannot fully imagine my own life without following the footprints that Atalji set. May his soul rest in peace.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2018
India is at a great loss today. Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee ji’s contributions to our nation have been innumerable. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 16, 2018
#WATCH: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik reacts on the demise of #AtalBihariVaajpayee says,"I am deeply grieved at the sad demise of Vajpayee Ji. India has lost one of its tallest leaders." pic.twitter.com/xEGkuXWsyK
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister: Dr.Manmohan Singh (file pic) pic.twitter.com/2E23QHZpbf
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday expressed his "deepest condolences" on the death of Vajpayee at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
Calling Vajpayee a "reasoned critique" and a "democrat", Mukherjee said on Twitter that India has lost a great son.
My letter of Condolence to Smt. Namita Bhattacharya on the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/0NGl6R8yRY
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 16, 2018
The current President of the country, Ram Nath Kovind, also tweeted that he will be missed by 'one and all'.
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 16, 2018
Its impossible to believe that Atal ji is no more,an irreparable loss.Atalji will continue to inspire us by his thoughts,principles&teachings!Not just in the past but he will be a Role Model for generations to come.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 16, 2018
My Pranam to RashtraRushi Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee ji!
Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/XpR6h1UB7P
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM Sushma Swaraj pay tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at the his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/bq3bBA0g91
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
December 25, 1924: Born in Gwalior, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
1942: Brief spell in prison for anti-British activities.
1957: Enters Indian Parliament for the first time.
1975-1977: Imprisoned for two years for opposing the state of emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
March 1977: Minister of Foreign Affairs until July 1979.
April 1980: Co-founds the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
May 16, 1996: Becomes prime minister for the first time, lasting 13 days. March 19, 1998: Prime minister for the second time.
May 1998: Organises nuclear tests in the Rajasthan desert.
October 10, 1999: Wins third mandate to serve as prime minister. February 1999: Travels by bus to Lahore in Pakistan to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
May 2004: Suffers shock election defeat, replaced by Manmohan Singh. 2009: Ends political career for health reasons.
August 16, 2018: Dies in New Delhi at the age of 93. -AFP