Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an iconic leader and a charismatic personality, who is one of the most loved public figures in India. One of the founding members of the Bhartiya Janata Party, he served thrice as the Prime Minister of India and brought some key changes in the face of Indian Economy. He led the nation through severe crises and changed the destiny of the country, making it grow as one of the fastest developing nations of the world.
Born into a family of humble means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in MP. His youth was characterized by academic excellence and quest for public service. Throughout the four decades of his leadership in the Parliament, he gave a new definition to the spirit of democracy. He is a major creditory of introducing economic reforms which entirely changed the position of India on a global level. Also, he intelligently handled the nation during Kargil War, hijack of Indian Airlines and 2001 attack on Parliament.
Vajpayee, one of India’s most mesmerizing leaders and motivational orators, took his last breath yesterday at the age of 93. His death, announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital, came as a deeply saddening news for the entire nation. He was diagnosed with a variety of ailments and hospitalized on 11 June, 2018. His condition was declared stable from the last 9 weeks under the care of a team of AIIMS. However, it deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Unfortunately, the nation lost her great son.
He was honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 2014 and to mark his birth anniversary, his birthday, 25 December was declared Good Governance Day by the Narendra Modi government.
The Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics, he would continue to rule over the hearts of Indians. He selflessly served the mother country and devoted his entire life to the nation. His life is an inspiration for every Indian and his works of inspiration would continue to live forever. May his soul rest in peace.