CHAPTER 3: THE LIFE OF SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE JI

CHAPTER-3

THE LIFE OF SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE JI

Fig. 3. 1 Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji

Timeline-

25th December, 1924- Birth Used to take bath in Yamuna River Saved by his friends from Drowning in Yamuna River 1934 - Admitted to the Anglo-Vernacular Middle (AVM) School in Barnagar, Ujjain 1939 - Joined RSS August, 1942 - Arrested for the first time (24 Days) 1944 - General Secretary of Youth Wing Arya Samaj Movement March, 1977 - Became Minister of External Affairs 1979 - Resigned from the Post Went to Pakistan representing Indian Govt. even when he was in Opposition 1980 - BJP formed, Vajpayee as first party President 1992 - Pokhran-II Nuclear Test 16th May 1996 - Elected as Prime Minister (For 13 Days) 28th May 1996 - Resignation as a Prime Minister 19th March 1998 - Elected as Prime Minister (For 13 Months) 1998 - Resignation as a Prime Minister 13th Oct. 1999 - Elected as Prime Minister (For Full Tenure) 22nd May 2004 - Resigned as Prime Minister 2005 - Retired from Active Politics 2015 - Bharat Ratna, the Highest Civilian Award 16th August 2018- Died

Fig. 3. 2 Atal Ji taking his oath as a PM

Fig. 3. 3 Timeline for the Life of Atal ji

Fig. 3. 4 Characteristics of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji

3.1 AS A CHILD

Born on 25th December, 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Fig. 3. 5 Atal ji with Family

Fig. 3. 6 Smt. Krishna Devi His mother Smt. Krishna Devi, was a very simple and sweet lady. Reading Ramayan, worshipping Tulsi plant, doing fasts always made her happy. One of a major quality that she posses is that she never scolds any one no matter how big the mistake is, but rather she made the person realise his/her mistake by keeping quite or by talking very politely on the matter. She never makes children afraid of her by getting angry on them rather she just solve the matter in a very polite way.

His Father Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, migrated to Gwalior in his early age as in his father’s place i.e, Bateshwar, there was less scope of higher education, later he became the Principal at AVM School, Barnagar, Ujjain. At the time when he started teaching he has completed his studies upto High School only, but due to his immense knowledge in Hindi he teaches hindi to high school students. But after some alligations he completed his B.A. and M.A. in Hindi.

His Grandfather Shri Pandit Shyam Lal is very Discipled, self-dependant and simple person, having a great pond of knowledge especially in Sanskrit. He never supports anyone doing tricks. Atal ji is greatly influenced by his teachings and that resulted in his keen interest towards literature and Culture. His love for Ramayan is also inherited in Atal ji and as a result he knew Ramayan Dohas by Heart . His Grandfather also has his own library in his house from where Atal ji developed the interest in Reading and Writing poetry.

Fig. 3. 7 Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee

Fig. 2. 45 JP Narayan Postage StampFig. 3.7 - Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee Fig. 2. 46 JP Narayan Postage Stamp

Fig. 2. 47 JP Narayan Postage StampFig. 3.7 - Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee

Fig. 2. 48 JP Narayan Postage StampFig. 3.7 - Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee

Fig. 3. 8 Yamuna Ghats in Bateshwar Village, where Atal ji used to take bath.

His Grandfather resides in Bateshwar Village, which is situated near Yamuna River. This place is very close to Atal Ji’s Heart as he was very fond of taking a bath in Yamuna River. Also there was a Sweet water well in Bateshwar Village that has actually very sweet and chilled water. As this is the land that belongs to his forefathers there are some special rituals for which Atal ji frequently visits this place.

When Atal ji gave his first Resignation letter on 28 May, 1996, he used a Shloka in the Parliament which is an asset of this land only. “ नभीतोमरणादस्मीके वलद ू

षितो

यश: “ (Lord Rama said that he is not afraid of death but of Slander)

It is often said that “वाजप{{यी आदमी अच्छा है, लेकिन पार्टी गलत है ” to which he always replied in a very polite manner that ‘either I am not a good man otherwise I can’t be in a bad party’ .

At the time of birth of Atal Bihari ji, bells were ringing all in the Churches near by and the sounds of canon fires can be heard as it is 25th December, birth date of Jesus Christ.

At the time of birth Atal ji was a bit healthy child, the family and the neighbours were always eager to play with the child Atal as he was very attractive. The ladies from the always suggests Atal ji’s mother to do some rituals as to keep him away from any evil spirits. Soon the ceremony for the name of the child has been organised and there Atal Bihari name has been decided. Atal means- a thing that cant be refused, and Bihari means- a person who keeps on moving.

3.2 AS A STUDENT

Fig. 3. 9 Register from Atal ji's School having his name

He was a very curious child and keeps on asking many questions to his teachers and his father and every time they used to make him understand by saying the thing through a short story. His grasping power is so good that he quickly understands the things his father was trying to say him. The characteristic of Discipline is being inherited from his father as he was a teacher and expects every child to be in perfect discipline, and his father was very successful in it. He believes that Discipline is the key to Self-control or say Self exploration.

Atal Ji had completed his middle education from Gorkhi School. After that for high school education he joined Victoria Collegiate. He likes to study more in night time than the day time. He likes to play sports, on which sometimes his father scolds him but he always says that you can see my results, I am performing well in the Academics too. He also likes to do mischiefs among his siblings but later on he always accepts his mistake and make everyone happy.

Atal ji and his elder sister Vimla Devi used to decorate the small temple inside their own house on occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. They used to collect funds from the family members first and then start to decorate the temple. They reveals it only at the midnight when Lord Krishna’s birth time arrives.

Atal ji and his college friend Khanvalker started to visit Arya Kumar Sabha in 1940.In 1942, he became an officer at one of the branch naming Naya Bazar.

Once there was a debate competition in Gwalior, in which Atal ji took part and he just learnt this lines, but during the event he forgot some of the lines that results in making fun of him. From that day onwards he made a resolution that he will never give any speech by learning it. After that day he always used to win every debate competition. Once there is a debate competition in Allahabad in which the Principal of Atal ji’s college has sent him to take part, but due to late train he reached the venue after the debate was over and everyone was waiting for the results to be announced, but Atal has that courage to stand on the stage and make everyone understand the situation and after that he completed his speech and got first prize by his impressive speech. Also in that competition one of the Judge was famous Poet Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachhan ji.

Once in a debate, Atal ji was about to debate for the Motion that ‘Hindi should be the National Language of India’, but at the end moment the student in opposition chooses to debate in for the motion so Atal ji accepted the challenge and mould it in such a way saying that ‘Hindi should not be the

National Language rather Hindustani should be the National Language of

India’ .

Atal ji always ducks the question of his marriage in a very simple way. He always says that he his life will always be for the nation, so no one else can have the right on that. Also he used to say that, he his life will always be in danger and he doesn’t want that because of him anyone had to be in pain.

He loves to be with family. On every occasion and festival, he used to visit his village to celebrate with the family. Once on Diwali everyone is gathered at the house but one of his sister was not able to make it, as soon as Atal ji came to know this he went back to get his sister and at late evening he managed to get her home and celebrated Diwali with everyone.

3.3 AS A POET

Atal ji had demolished his old house to make a Library there using his own money. This reflects his eternal love for his language and literature. He started writing poems in 1939-40. His love for poetry only diverted him to be a politician. Atal ji’s quality of solving every problem simply is a thing that attracted his party. He inherited this quality from his family that no two persons should have any kind of estrangement among themselves. He always used to solve such problems.

In order to depict the critical situation in pre-independence era, he took the help of his words and inked them down in the form of poems in Hindi which are still admired by the entire nation. He started to create poems from the time when he was jailed during Emergency. His collection of poems, Meri Ikkyavan Kavitayen, became a bestseller. Many of his poems have been sung by India’s illustrious singers such as Lata Mangeshkar and Jagjit Singh. He wrote, 'Kaidi Kaviraj Ki Kundalian' and 'Amar Aag Hai' published in 1994. [13]

Fig. 3. 10 Cartoon by Amish

Fig. 3. 11 Atal Ji's Book - Kaidi Kaviram ki Kundaliyan Fig. 3. 12 Amar Aag hai- Apoem by Atal ji

3.4 AS A POLITICIAN

While in his youth, Vajpayee came in close contact with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Impressed by the patriotic fervour and the culture of selfless service in the RSS, Vajpayee joined the organisation and later became its full time volunteer.

Vajpayee also participated in India’s Freedom Struggle and went to jail in 1942. He was detained during the Emergency in 1975-77 for his role in the fight for the protection of democracy and civil liberties.

One of the first leaders of Bharatiya Jan Sangh, Vajpayee began his political career as an aide to the late Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the party and a great nationalist leader.

He served as the President of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1968-1973) and also as the leader of the parliamentary party wing of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1955-1977). He played an active role in fighting the draconian rule of Emergency imposed by Mrs Indira Gandhi and was behind the bars for several months in that period. Later, he became one of the founding fathers of the Janata Party (1977-1980), which won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections held in 1977 and formed the first non-Congress/ Opposition government at the Centre. [14] On 26th March, 1977, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Janta Party Government led by Moraji Desai. Also he became the first person to deliver a speech to United Nations General assembly in Hindi in 1977.

In 1980, BJP formed when erstwhile members of Bhartiya Jan Sangh came together. Atal ji became the first party president.

In 1995, BJP president Advani declared Vajpayee would be the next Prime Ministerial face.

Became Prime Minister for three times.

• First tenure for 14 days in May, 1996 • Second tenure for 13 months till mid-1999, lost vote of confidence by 1 single vote on 17 april, 1999 •Third tenure (13th oct., 1999 – 13th may,2004)

Fig. 3. 13 A cartoon of Atal ji as a politician

He was the Leader of the Opposition throughout the term of the 11th Lok Sabha.[14]

He never took favour of his post. Once his nephew wrote him a letter stating that he should get her father’s transfer in some big city, but Atal ji refused to do so and replied back that you should be brave enough to survive in some other city, if you really wants to study there.

He always treats his personal life and political life separate. Once his nephew was there to attend one of his speech and at the time when Atal ji was leaving for home they said she also wants to ride with him to the home to which Atal ji refused that this vehicle is for the Foreign Minister of India and does not belongs to his uncle.

He is a very simple and ground to earth person, loves to ride cycle and walking.

3.5 CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

His contributions to the politics is immense. Some of the Major contributions are:

1. Raising India's GDP

 He took India to the new heights by introducing economic reforms.

Under his tenure from 1998 to 2004, India maintained a GDP rate of eight per cent, the inflation level came down to four per cent and foreign exchange reserves were flourishing  Although India faced catastrophic events during his tenure, including earthquake (2001), two cyclones (1999 and 2000), a horrible drought (2002-2003), oil crises (2003), the Kargil conflict (1999), and a Parliament attack, yet he maintained a stable economy.

2. Introduction to Fiscal Responsibility Act

Besides raising India's GDP to eight per cent in his tenure, he further introduced the Fiscal Responsibility Act which aimed to reduce the fiscal deficit and boost public-sector savings.

3. Privatisation

 Among the several milestones, privatisation was also appreciated  Further, he formed a separate disinvestment ministry. The most important disinvestments were Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and

Hindustan Zinc, Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited and VSNL

4. The rise of the Indian telecom industry

 Introduced a revenue-sharing model under New Telecom Policy which helped telecom firms to get away with fixed license fees  Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was separately created to head over the services and policies  To further enhance the telecom sector, he created Telecom Dispute

Settlement Appellate Tribunal  International telephone service Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd was ended

5. Education policy

 It was for the first time in India that elementary education became free for children aged 6-14 years  It was launched in 2001 and brought a drastic change in the number of dropouts by 60 per cent

6. Strengthened global ties

 Under his reign, India improved its trade and reduced territorial disputes with the People's Republic of China  In 2000, he invited former US President Bill Clinton, improving the bilateral ties after the Cold War  He invited the then President Pervez Musharraf to India for a two-day

Agra summit meeting from July 14-16, 2001, in order to discuss cross-border terrorism and Kashmir  Moreover, Vajpayee gave a green signal to road connectivity between

India and Pakistan with the inauguration of historic Delhi-Lahore Bus on

February 19, 1999

Fig. 3. 14 Atal ji with Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf

7. Science and Research

 Vajpayee passed the Chandrayan-1 project

On India's 56th Independence Day, he said, "Our country is now ready to fly high in the field of science. I am pleased to announce that India will send her own spacecraft to the moon by 2008, named Chandrayaan.  He made India a nuclear weapon state. In 1998, India conducted five nuclear tests in one week "We have the capacity for a big bomb now. Ours will never be weapons of aggression," he said.

8. Infrastructure

 The most ambitious road projects in India were launched by him, including the Golden Quadrilateral and the Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak

Yojna  The Golden Quadrilateral made transportation easy, connecting metropolitan cities -- Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai -- through a network of highways  Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojna connected distant villages across the country with a network of all-weather roads.

Fig. 3. 15 Former President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee honoring Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji with Bharat Ratna

In 2015, he was awarded with BHARAT RATNA, the Highest civilian award, for his extra ordinary contributions to the country. PADMA VIBHUSHAN in 1992.

The Lokmanya Tilak Puraskar and the Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Award for the Best Parliamentarian, both in 1994. Earlier, the Kanpur University honoured him with an doctorate honoris causa in 1993. [13]

3.6 FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CARTOONISTS

Cartoonists generally loves to make cartoons of Atal ji due to his curvy face. Also the trend for such cartoons was at the peak at the time Atal ji was the Prime Ministerial face, so the caricatures for Atal ji gained immense popularity which are appreciated till date. R.K. Lakshman Ji is one of the most famous artist among them all who had made many cartoons for Atal ji which gained immense popularity. Different artists portrayed Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji in their own way through different types of lines. Some examples are as follows:

Table 18 Cartoons or Caricatures of Atal Ji through different perspectives of various cartoonists.

By Ananda Goswami

Fig. 3. 16 Atal ji as a politician in power

By Kushal Bhattacharya

Fig. 3.17 Showing the qualities of Atal ji which he carried with him to the heaven.

By Amish

Fig. 3. 18 Atal ji as a Poet By Satish

Fig. 3. 20 Atal ji with a big heart

By Uday Deb

Fig. 3. 19 Atal ji watching todays politics from the heaven

Fig. 3. 21 Atal ji in the crowd

R. K. Lakshman

Fig. 3.22 Atal ji as a politician by R.K. Laxman Graphic News

Fig. 3.24 Atal ji as a politician urging for votes By Tarang Soni

Fig. 3.26 Made in the memory of Atal ji by Tarang Soni Fig. 3.23 Atal ji’s Smiling face

Fig. 3.25 Atal ji as a politician By Jayesh Phadnis

Fig. 3.27 Atal ji as a Politician Some of the common things which are being observed in all of these cartoons are White Kurta and Curvy lines.

3.7 FORMULATING THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire has been formulated consisting questions related to the topic that how our former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji can be manisfested in the form of Architecture. Several options have been provided in order to help the person to give their opinion. The words have been chosen in a way that could explain about a person as well as Architecture.

The sample space for the survey is practising architects and architecture students as they can understad the architecture elements in a better way and can provide suggestions.

The sample size taken is of 35 people consisting of 10 practising architects and 25 architecture students.

The survey has been conducted online through Google forms. The detail questionnaire is attached in the Annextures.