Atal Bihari Vajpayee Passes Away

[raniraja]

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dead; Lost him despite best efforts, says AIIMS; ex-PM passed away at 5.05 pm




I remember Atalji from NDA-1. Those were turbulent times with Y2K depression and all. But the government worked well enough to steer the economy through and keep the inflation low. We even had a rare budget surplus !!

There are many memories and surely, many internet links about him, as the news spreads.

Some people won't like what I am writing next, but in 2002 assembly elections in Gujarat, there was every reason not to vote for the BJP. The memories of the riots was too fresh, and the BJP had had 4 Chief Ministers in its 4.5 years in power. But it was Atalji's recommendation reposing faith in the existing government which tilted our vote in BJP's favor.

(of course, after that we voted for continuation based on the performance).

Another noteworthy moment of Atalji came in '98 after they lost the vote of confidence by 1 vote. "We will return with a decisive public vote"..

Please share your memories of Atalji.

LINK

[sarv_shaktimaan]

My family narrates story of him being the famous and dynamic pracharak of Sangh.. he visited the Shimla shakha in early 70s when my family members had met him. I am told, he was very personable, full of life, with jest and good natured confidence boosting words for youngsters. He talked to each shakha member like they were his friends/cousins.

[sarv_shaktimaan]

One famous incident was he sang chitthi aayi hai in front of few reporters when Jayalalitha sent letter of support.

[sgars]

Till 98, Pakistan had some economy thanks to drugs, aid and remittances. Thanks to Afghan war, it also got some investments from Boeing, etc.
But 98 Nuclear tests and the subsequent sanctions ensured that Pakistan went on to become a basket case that it is now.

Of course, like me reportedly, Atalji also loved Booze.

[28virgo]

Rest in Peace Sir!

[28virgo]

Originally Posted by sgars

Of course, like me reportedly, Atalji also loved Booze.

He also loved Chinese cuisine. There was this Chinese restaurant in Defence Colony (Delhi) which he used to frequent .

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atal...om-bjp-1901582

[Aashika]

One of the respected politicians in India. May he rest in peace.

[HarHarMahaDev]

A great man! May his soul rest in peace!

[sarv_shaktimaan]

written by a relative of mine..

मेरे श्रद्धा सुमन

जाना तय है
ये अटल सत्य है
सदियों तक काल के
कपाल पर बनी रहे
जो छाप
वो अटल है, अटल है ।।

[Charchila]

RIP

[AmthaLal]

R.I.P.

[echarcha]

Atalji achieved many good things.

I will share one of those which affected all us desis in the USA who have taken US citizenship.

Atalji had come to New York and made a passionate plea to all NRIs that we should invest back in India.

After the speech, the NRI delegation told him that there were many problems for settled NRIs who were no longer Indian passport holders. First off was the hassle of getting visas to visit India, second was that as 'foreigners' they could not invest or do anything back in India owing to legal requirements for being an Indian citizen.

Atalji heard it all and promised to work on a solution.

Out of this came the PIO and OCI cards which allowed any Indian who has ever held an Indian passport to get the PIO or OCI card. Even the children of such NRIs can get the OCI card which gives them the same status as their parents.

These cards are like a dual citizenship. They allow you to do everything that an Indian passport holder can do except a few things like contesting elections, voting in elections, buying agricultural land, mining and exploration, etc.

Later on, Modi simplified it further and did away with the PIO card and now only OCI card is required. Even the upgrade from PIO to OCI was free. I got mine done a couple of years ago.


RIP Atalji.

[HarHarMahaDev]

Originally Posted by echarcha

Atalji achieved many good things.

I will share one of those which affected all us desis in the USA who have taken US citizenship.

Atalji had come to New York and made a passionate plea to all NRIs that we should invest back in India.

After the speech, the NRI delegation told him that there were many problems for settled NRIs who were no longer Indian passport holders. First off was the hassle of getting visas to visit India, second was that as 'foreigners' they could not invest or do anything back in India owing to legal requirements for being an Indian citizen.

Atalji heard it all and promised to work on a solution.

Out of this came the PIO and OCI cards which allowed any Indian who has ever held an Indian passport to get the PIO or OCI card. Even the children of such NRIs can get the OCI card which gives them the same status as their parents.

These cards are like a dual citizenship. They allow you to do everything that an Indian passport holder can do except a few things like contesting elections, voting in elections, buying agricultural land, mining and exploration, etc.

Later on, Modi simplified it further and did away with the PIO card and now only OCI card is required. Even the upgrade from PIO to OCI was free. I got mine done a couple of years ago.


RIP Atalji.

It's unfortunate that his death got overshadowed by Aretha Franklin. The whatsapp condolences got divided.

[sarv_shaktimaan]

Originally Posted by HarHarMahaDev

It's unfortunate that his death got overshadowed by Aretha Franklin. The whatsapp condolences got divided.

Who is Aretha Franklin?

[Charchila]

Originally Posted by sarv_shaktimaan

Who is Aretha Franklin?

The Queen of Soul music. Possibly a top political leader.