President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other dignitaries paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary. Vajpayee, known for his exemplary oratory skills, was crucial in forming alliances for his party in the coalition era of the 90s and made history by becoming the first BJP Prime Minister. His leadership from 1998 to 2004 is remembered for bringing about reforms and development in the infrastructure sector. Vajpayee passed away in 2018 at the age of 93.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Remembering the Visionary Leader on His Death Anniversary
On the occasion of the 4th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the nation pays homage to one of its most iconic leaders. Vajpayee, a towering figure in Indian politics, left an enduring legacy as a champion of development, diplomacy, and communal harmony.
Background
Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Vajpayee was a staunch supporter of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His political career spanned over six decades, during which he held various ministerial positions in the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai.
In 1996, Vajpayee became the first BJP Prime Minister of India. His tenure was marked by a period of economic and political stability. Vajpayee introduced key reforms in infrastructure, notably the Golden Quadrilateral Highway project, and played a pivotal role in strengthening India's relations with Pakistan and other neighboring countries.
Death Anniversary Tributes
On August 16, 2022, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other dignitaries paid tributes to Vajpayee at the "Sadbhavana Manch" in New Delhi. Modi hailed Vajpayee as a "great leader who shaped the destiny of India" and emphasized his unwavering commitment to national unity and progress.
Legacy and Impact
Vajpayee's legacy continues to inspire Indian politics and governance. His emphasis on "politics of consensus" and his ability to forge alliances across ideological divides are considered a hallmark of his leadership. His diplomatic initiatives, including the Lahore Declaration with Pakistan, laid the groundwork for peace and cooperation in the region.
Vajpayee also played a significant role in the development of the BJP, transforming it from a right-wing organization into a mainstream political force. Today, the party he led continues to govern India with a focus on economic growth and social welfare.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What were Vajpayee's key achievements as Prime Minister?
Vajpayee's achievements include infrastructure development, economic reforms, and diplomatic initiatives, such as the Lahore Declaration.
2. How did Vajpayee contribute to the BJP's growth?
Vajpayee transformed the BJP from a fringe party into a mainstream political force by emphasizing consensus, pragmatism, and inclusivity.
3. What was Vajpayee's relationship with Narendra Modi?
Modi was a close associate of Vajpayee and served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat during his premiership. Modi has often expressed his deep admiration for Vajpayee's leadership and vision.
4. What was Vajpayee's role in the India-Pakistan conflict?
Vajpayee initiated peace talks with Pakistan and signed the Lahore Declaration, seeking to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.
5. How is Vajpayee remembered today?
Vajpayee is remembered as a visionary leader who promoted national unity, economic growth, and diplomatic initiatives. He is widely regarded as one of India's most respected and influential Prime Ministers.
On the 194th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, Nagar Kurnool MLA Dr. Rajesh Reddy emphasized the importance of following her ideals during an event organized by the District Education Department. He lauded the state government's declaration of January 3rd as Women's Teachers' Day and its commitment to realizing Savitribai's vision for social equality. In the presence of District Collector and Education Officer, several women teachers were honored and a student dressed as Savitribai Phule received special recognition.
Tensions have been high in Manipur's Kangpokpi district for the past week, leading to a violent attack on the office of the Superintendent of Police on Friday. Videos and images emerging from the town show armed individuals dressed in camouflage and damaged vehicles on the premises. The violence follows a confrontation between security forces and Kuki-Zo women in the district earlier in the week, which has sparked protests and demands for the removal of joint security forces stationed in the area. While the situation has been brought under control, locals estimate that 15 people from the mob were injured.
Mukesh Chandrakar, a 28-year-old independent journalist, was found dead in a septic tank on a contractor's premises in Bijapur after receiving a call from the contractor's cousin to meet them. Mukesh's body was discovered after his brother filed a police complaint when he did not return from the meeting. Authorities are investigating if his death is connected to any of his recent journalistic work in the Bastar region.
In 2023, the US State Department released an annual report revealing that President Joe Biden and his family received expensive gifts from foreign leaders. The most valuable gift was a $20,000 diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, given to First Lady Jill Biden. Other expensive gifts included a $18,000 astrograph received by CIA Director William Burns. However, most of the reported gifts were destroyed, as per federal law.
Alka Lamba, former AAP leader and current President of AICC's Mahila Congress, has been announced as the Congress candidate for the Kalkaji seat in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections. Lamba, who was previously a legislator from Chandni Chowk, returned to Congress in 2019 after resigning from AAP. In her campaign launch, she criticized AAP's governance and vowed to challenge CM Atishi on key issues such as pollution, crime, and unemployment. Lamba's nomination adds to the intense competition between AAP and Congress, with both parties choosing prominent leaders as their candidates.
The arrest of one Maddilety, a relative of the Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh, has sparked controversy in Yemmiganur, Kurnool district. Maddilety, who worked as a librarian in a girls' college, was accused of molesting a student. Despite previous complaints, the college principal did not take any action, leading to a physical attack on him by the student's parents. Students are now demanding the removal of all male teachers from the college, claiming that they are being dismissed whenever they raise harassment complaints.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially kicked off the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, he slammed the current AAP government and their governance model. Modi confidently expressed his confidence in winning Delhi, a state that the BJP has not held power in for over 25 years. He also emphasized the initiatives and projects undertaken by the Central government for the betterment of Delhi, countering the schemes offered by the AAP. With Modi at the helm, the BJP aims to defeat the "aapda (disaster)" that the AAP has brought upon Delhi.
"Delhi Continues to Suffer from 'Very Poor' Air Quality, Airport Issues Advisory" - The air quality in Delhi has been in the 'very poor' category for four consecutive days, impacting visibility and causing delays and cancellations at the city's airport. With thick smog and dense fog engulfing the capital, the Delhi airport has issued an advisory for passengers to contact their airlines for any potential disruptions in their travel plans. "Bickering Between AAP and BJP Over Delhi's Electoral Roll" - Ahead of the assembly elections in Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of tampering with voter registration details, while AAP has dismissed the allegations as an attempt to delete names of voters from certain communities. The two parties continue to trade barbs over the issue, with the BJP demanding action from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kickstarts his campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi by launching multiple developmental projects worth Rs 4,500 crore in the capital. As the air quality in Delhi remains in the 'very poor' category for the fourth consecutive day, PM Modi also addresses the issue and assures that traffic deadlock will be resolved by 2025. The political parties engage in a war of words over the alleged irregularities in the voter registration details, with BJP accusing AAP of trying to delete names of certain communities from Delhi's electoral roll.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has taken to social media to slam the Modi government for its economic policies. She quoted first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to highlight the impact of those policies on the country's citizens. She also referred to data from the RBI and the World Inequality Database to underscore the economic distress caused by the government's actions. Read on to find out more about her criticism and the reactions it has sparked.