Atal Bihari Vajpayee is considered one of India’s greatest leaders who was revered both home and abroad.
The former Indian Prime Minister breathed his last August 16, 2018.
Here are some interesting facts about the erudite politician on his first death anniversary:
A first class student and activist
He was a bright student and was awarded with a first class post graduate degree in Political Science. His first activism started with Arya Kumar Sabha in Gwalior. Before joining Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS), Vajpayee was tending towards communism. But he joined RSS in 1939 after being influenced by Babasaheb Apte, and in 1947, became a promoter of the Sangh.
Participation in ‘Quit India Movement’ and becoming a journalist
Vajpayee, along with his brother Prem, was arrested in 1942 for 23 days for participating in the Quit India movement. He was greatly fascinated with journalism and was eager to become a journalist. He successfully made his dream true when he was sent to Uttar Pradesh to work for Deendayal Upadhyaya’s newspapers- Rashtradharma-a Hindi monthly, Panchjanya -a Hindi weekly and the dailies Veer Arjun & Swadesh.
A great entry into the Parliament
He contested for the first time from two constituencies – Mathura and Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh in 1957. He lost the Mathura seat to Raja Mahendra Pratap but won the Balrampur seat.
To Speak in Hindi at the UN
He was the first person to speak in Hindi at the United Nations.
Becoming the PM of India
He became the Prime Minister of India three times- first on 16 May 1996 for 13 days only, the second time on 19 March 1998 for 13 months, and third time on 13 October 1999 for a tenure of 5 years.
One of the longest-serving Parliamentarians
He was an MP for 47 years and was awarded with prestigious Bharat Ratna by the government of India.
PNN
