Birth: December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Education: Master’s in political science from Victoria College (now Laxmibai College) in Gwalior and DAV College, Kanpur
Family: Bachelor with two foster daughters: US-based doctor Nandita is married to software engineer Ashok Nanda, and Delhi-based Namita to Ranjan Bhattacharya
Early politics: After dipping his toes in the fight for Independence, becomes aide to Jana Sangh leader S.P. Mookerjee. Is at Mookerjee’s side during his fast-unto-death in Kashmir in 1953 to protest the treatment of domestic visitors to the Himalayan state
Parliament: Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1957, beginning a five-decade stint as a respected House orator. Only MP to be elected from four states: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Wins award as best parliamentarian in 1994, and Padma Vibhushan in 1992
Jail to minister: Jailed briefly during the 1975-77 Emergency. But when ‘77’ election throws up a government led by the Janata Party, into which the Jana Sangh has merged, Vajpayee becomes minister for external affairs
Foreign feats: It takes a Right-wing foreign minister to travel to Beijing and Islamabad, normalising ties with communist China for the first time since the 1962 conflict and initiating dialogue and trade with Pakistan after the 1971 war. Indo-Pak cricket resumes after 16 years
Hindi: First person to deliver speech in Hindi at the UN General Assembly — the “most unforgettable” moment in his life in his own words
Wordsmith: Brilliant orator, a lover of poetry and editor of several magazines. His published works include books of poems. Kanpur University gives him honorary DLitt in 1993
Epicure: Said to enjoy a nightly whisky or two, and to have a taste for fried food and sweets
New party: Forms the BJP in 1980, becoming its first president. Praised for protecting Sikhs during 1984 riots following Indira Gandhi’s assassination
Temple: The BJP wins just two seats in the ‘84’ election, prompting the rise of Hindutva hardliners in the party who start a Ram temple movement in the late ‘80s’. The party becomes a force in national politics
Read More:
Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The man with many faces
Atal Bihari Vajpayee poetry melts ‘Iron’ in the soul
