GS-1: Modern Indian History and important personalities
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the first Prime Minister in the non-Congress era to complete his full term, is a visionary, one of India’s most celebrated statesman, an outstanding orator and a staunch Nationalist.
The tenure of this three-time Prime Minister of India took India towards the road for multi-dimensional development. From giving a major boost to the Infrastructure of India, to making India nuclear capable, improving India’s foreign relations, strengthening internal security of India to a serious attempt to solve the Kashmir problem- India has achieved a lot during his era.
Prime Minister thrice: 1996, 1998-1999 and 1999-2004
Awarded India’s highest civilian honor Bharat Ratna in 2015
His birthday, December 25, is observed as the Good Governance Day
Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1992
Poitical Reforms
His reign lead to advent of Multi-party rule in India.
A Coalition Government completing the complete tenure was new experiment in India’s democratic history.
Schedule 10 related to Anti Defection law was strengthened.
Economic Reforms
GDP growth remained high of about 6-7%.
The speed of FDIs took off to great extent.
The Fiscal Responsibility Act was introduced during his tenure, which aimed to reduce fiscal deficit.
The public sector savings were boosted to a great extent.
The involvement of Governments involvement in starting a private business was reduced in India.
Separate entities were established for disinvestment.
Infrastructural Development
He initiated Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Laid the foundation of “The Golden Quadrilateral” project.
Sanction of “Delhi Metro Rail Corporation”.
Introduced the New Telecom Policy, which later lead to Telecom Revolution in India.
Defense
He effectively lead India through the Kargil War.
Carried out Nuclear Tests in Pokhran, which lead to India being a responsible Nuclear power.
India’s deterrence increased to a great extent.
Kashmir Issue
He looked positively at the Kashmir issue.
The Sensitivities with respect to Kashmir were increased.
He gave the slogan of “Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamuriyat”.
He was considered to be a Peace Maker, he even started Bus Service to Lahore.
Foreign Policy
He was known for his Pragmatism.
He took India out from the Hesitations of History.
He shifted India’s focus from Russia to United States of America.
He strengthened India’s relations with Israel, by calling it India’s natural ally.
Cooperative Federalism
He strengthened good relations with all the states.
Being a Statesman, he had good relations with all the state governments.
He taught Indians the way of looking above politics of the day and have a common Nationalistic agenda.
He said that government were just part of the process of evolution and development of India.
Note: World’s longest Highway tunnel – Atal Tunnel
Location: Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh
Constructed by: Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year.
Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.
The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.
It will provide all weather connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
It would also reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by 3-4 hours.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid the foundation of the approach road for this tunnel in 2002.
