Page 55 - NIS English 16-31 August 2025

Tribute to Atal ji | NATION

Atal Ji, who came from an ordinary family, not
only gave the country a model of stability and good
governance, but also guaranteed new development.

One can see the long-term impact of Atal Ji’s
leadership in so many sectors around us. His era
marked a gigantic leap in the world of Information
Technology, telecom, and communications. The
NDA Government under Atal Ji made the first
serious attempt to make technology accessible to
the common citizens. At the same time, there was
foresight in connecting India. Even today, most
people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project,
which connected the length and breadth of India.
Equally notable were the Vajpayee Government’s
efforts to enhance local connectivity as well
through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana. Similarly, his Government gave
a push to metro connectivity by doing extensive
work for the Delhi Metro, which stands out as a set of tests two days later, on 13th May! If the
world-class infrastructure project. Thus, the Va- tests of the 11th showed scientific skill, the ones
jpayee Government not only boosted economic on the 13th showed true leadership. For him, the
growth but also brought distant regions closer, nation was supreme. India First, this mantra was
fostering unity and integration. When it comes to his life’s motto. Pokhran was necessary for the
the social sector, an initiative like the Sarva Shiksha country, so he did not worry about sanctions and
Abhiyan highlights how Atal Ji dreamt of building criticism, because the country came first. If we
an India where modern education is accessible to did not get supercomputers, cryogenic engines,
people across the nation, particularly for the poor we did not care, we would make them ourselves,
and marginalised sections. He wanted education we would make the impossible possible on our
to be easy and accessible to all classes of India, i.e., strength, with the power of our talent and scien-
OBC, SC, ST, tribals, and women. tific prowess. And we did it. We astonished the
At the same time, his government presided world. Only one force worked within him - the
over many economic reforms, which set the stage insistence of putting the country first.
for India’s economic surge after several decades It was a message to the world that gone were
of following an economic philosophy that en- the days when India would buckle under threats
couraged cronyism and stagnation. A wonderful or pressure. Despite facing international sanc-
example of Vajpayee Ji’s leadership can be seen tions, the country fought together. Whenever you
in the summer of 1998. His Government had just talk to anyone about Vajpayee’s personality, they
assumed office and on 11th May, India conduct- will say that he used to attract people towards
ed the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. him. His speaking skills were unmatched. He was
These tests exemplified the prowess of India’s unmatched in poetry and words. Even the op-
scientific community. The world was stunned ponents were admirers of Vajpayee’s speeches.
that India had done the tests and expressed their Those discussions became a medium of learning
anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader for the young MPs. Even with a small number of
would have buckled, but Atal Ji was made differ- MPs, he was successful in strongly opposing the
ently. And what happened? India stood firm and evil policies of the Congress. Vajpayee showed
resolute with the government calling for another in Indian politics what honesty and policy clarity

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