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| Commemorative Cover prepared for the First Day of Issue of Definitive Stamp issued on December 25, 2018, the 94th birth anniversary of Atal Behari Vajpayee. |
AB Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924 at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
He studied at Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gwalior from where he passed his
matriculation. He obtained his BA in
Hindi, English and Sanskrit form Victoria College, Gwalior and MA in Political
Science from DAV College, Kanpur.
He was actively associated in various capacities as Organizing Secretary
/ General Secretary / President with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (1939 – 1951),
Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1951 – 1977), Janata Party (1977 – 1980) and Bharatya
Janata Party (1980 – 0000).
A nationalist he was imprisoned for his active role in Quit India
Movement in 1942 and Total Revolution Movement in 1975.
A distinguished Parliamentarian and Statesman, He served as Member of Parliament,
Union Minister of External Affairs, Leader of Opposition and Prime Minister of
India.
He died on August 16, 2018 at New Delhi aged 93 years.
Member of Parliament
A veteran parliamentarian for over five decades, He debuted as Member of
Parliament at Lok Sabha in 1957 and was re-elected for a record ten terms to
Lok Sabha and two terms to Rajya Sabha.
He is the only parliamentarian to be elected from four different states at
different elections – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Delhi.
He actively participated in all the debates and his oratorical skills
attracted the attention of successive Prime Ministers who included him in all
party parliamentary goodwill delegations to foreign nations.
He was an active participant of several parliamentary debates which
shaped India’s post independence domestic, economic and foreign policy.
He was the Leader of Parliamentary Board of BJS, JP and BJP, Leader of
Opposition in Lok Sabha and Chairman of Standing Committees of Parliament including
the prestigious Public Accounts Committee for two terms.
Union Minister of External Affairs
He held the portfolio of External Affairs in
the first Non Congress Union Cabinet (1977 – 1979) and created history by
becoming the first Indian leader to address the United Nations General Assembly
in Hindi.
Prime Minister of India
A Man of the masses, He held the post of Prime Minister of India (1996,
1998 – 1999, 1999 – 2004).
He is the first Non Congress Prime Minister to hold the post thrice with
two successive mandates, two consecutive terms and complete a full term in
office.
He is also the first Leader of Opposition to be elected Prime Minister
of India.
An architect of coalition governments, his first term lasted 13 days, second term lasted 13 months with 13 parties and his third and last term lasted 5 years with 20 parties.
An architect of coalition governments, his first term lasted 13 days, second term lasted 13 months with 13 parties and his third and last term lasted 5 years with 20 parties.
Infrastructure – National Highways Project and Village Roads Project was
significantly expanded. The famous Golden Quadrilateral Highway which connects
all metropolitan cities of India as conceptualized and completed.
Finance – Tax reforms and pro business initiatives witnessed sustained
economic growth and rise in GDP.
Industry and Trade – Information Technology Parks and Special Export
Promotion Zones were established. Private and Foreign Direct investments were
encouraged in Automobile, Telecom sectors.
Education – Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which improved the quality of
education of primary and secondary schools was introduced.
Science – Peaceful Nuclear Explosions named PNE II or Pokhran II or
Operation Shakthi 2 or Smiling Buddha were successfully conducted in May
1998.
Defence – Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Vijay which
victoriously evicted Pakistani intruders from Kargil in 1999.
Home Affairs – Jammu and Kashmir peace dialogues were negotiated on the three principles of Insaaniyat (humanity), Jamhooriyat (democarcy) and Kashmiryat (age old Kahmiri legacy of amity).
Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was promulgated in 2002.
Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was promulgated in 2002.
Foreign Affairs – Lahore Summit (1999) and Agra Summit (2001) were held to negotiate peace,
promote commerce and trade between the India and Pakistan. The historic direct
bus transport service between New Delhi and Lahore was introduced in 1999.
The Special Representative Dialogues were initiated in 2003 to resolve border disputes and improve trade between India and China.
The Special Representative Dialogues were initiated in 2003 to resolve border disputes and improve trade between India and China.
Journalist & Poet
A voracious reader, vociferous orator and
prolific writer he published numerous books, poems, speeches and dialogues on
socio political issues in Hindi, Urdu and English. His works have been
translated in various Indian languages.
He worked as
Journalist for newspapers Rashtradharma, Panchjanya, and Swadesh
Social Activist
He served as
Member of National Integration Council.
He was
President of All India Station Masters Association, President of Pandit
Deendayal Upadhya Smarak Samiti and Dham, Janmabhoomi Smarak Samiti.
Awards
The Government
of India conferred on him the Padma Vibhushan (1992) and Bharat Ratna (2014)
for his exemplary services to the nation.
He also
received the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award (1994), BG Tilak Award (1994)
and GB Pant Award (1994)
The Government
of Bangladesh conferred on him the Liberation War Honour (2015).
Doctorates
The University
of Kanpur conferred Honorary Doctorate on him for exemplary service to the
nation in 1995
GOOD GOVERNANCE DAY
December 25, the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is observed annually as Good Governance Day since 2014.
The objectives are to build a transparent and responsible administration, to ensure the welfare of people, to devise good and effective polices for good governance, to give a corruption free administration to the people.
ATAL TUNNEL
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