Era of Atal ends

Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died after nine weeks of treatment at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Thursday. He was 93.

Tributes poured in after the demise of the first non-Congress leader to serve a full term in power. He was also known for ordering nuclear tests and making bold diplomatic decisions, in his efforts to achieve peace with Pakistan.

"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at 5:05pm on Thursday," AIIMS said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today," the statement said.

The passing of the poet-politician, who had admirers even among rival parties, made many remember his poem: Maut Ki Umar.

He wrote: "Maut ki umar kya hai? Do pal bhi nahi. Zindagi silsila hai, aaj kal ki nahi. Main ji bhar jiya, main mann se maroon. Laut ke aaunga, kooch se kyun daroon (What is the age of death? Not even two moments. Life is a journey, not a day's affair. I have lived life to the fullest, I will die happily. I will return, why should I fear the end)?

The Central government declared a seven-day national mourning to honour one of India's most respected leaders, also known for his powerful oratory. Severals states followed suit.

He was one of the founder members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh that later transformed into BJP. Vajpayee was its first president.

He served as PM for 13 days in 1996, 13 months (1998-99) and then for a full five-year term (1999-2004), as the head of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

He retired from active politics in 2005. Since 2009, the three-time PM had largely been confined to his home here, away from public life due to his failing health.

At the BJP headquarters here, decorations for Independence Day celebrations were removed as a pall of gloom descended.

He was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with kidney tract infection, chest congestion, urinary tract infection and urine output on the lower side.

Born to a middle-class Brahmin family of Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and Krishna Devi in Madhya Pradesh'es Gwalior on December 25, 1924. He was one of the seven children.

He did his bachelors in Hindi, Sanskrit and English from Gwalior's Victoria (now Laxmi Bai) College. Vajpayee completed his masters in Political Science from DAV College in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. He had many literary, artistic and scientific accomplishments.

He was the first person to address the UN General Assembly in Hindi. He was also the only PM besides Jawaharlal Nehru to hold office on three consecutive terms. He was the first PM since Indira Gandhi to win successive elections.

Political leaders across the spectrum went to the hospital and later to his residence to pay their respects. Vajpayee's body will be taken to the party headquarters on Friday. He will be laid to rest at Vijay Ghat at 5 pm with full state honours.

SEVEN-DAY NATIONAL MOURNING

• NATIONAL FLAG will be flown at half mast from Thursday for seven days across India. Schools and govt institutions in Delhi will be closed on Friday
   
• VAJPAYEE’S BODY will be taken to BJP HQs at 9 am on Friday. His last journey will begin at 1 pm. Funeral will be held at 4 pm at Smriti Sthal
   
• INDIAN MISSIONS abroad will also keep National Flag flying at half mast on Friday when Vajpayee will be accorded state funeral