Raisen, Madhya Pradesh:

The Shiksha Maha Kumbh in Bareli town of Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, to commemorate the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has sparked a political storm.

During the event, School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh made startling admissions about corruption in the education sector, acknowledging that hundreds of teachers have been flouting norms.

“I personally know of 500 teachers who hire substitutes to work in their place for Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000. In my district alone, there are 100 such teachers,” said Mr Singh.

However, the minister refrained from committing concrete action against the errant teachers.

The Congress party wasted no time in criticising the minister for his remarks.

“This confession of MP’s Education Minister is deeply concerning. Despite knowing about 500 dishonest teachers, why are you shielding them? If you cannot act against these individuals, you should resign,” said Umang Singhar, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

Mr Singhar urged the minister to take immediate action against at least the 100 dishonest teachers identified in his district, accusing him of failing to uphold his responsibilities.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of alarming statistics about school enrollment shared by the Education Minister in the assembly. Between 2016-17 and 2023-24, 1.22 million fewer students enrolled in government schools from Class 1 to 12.

Enrollment dropped significantly in lower classes (Class 1-5) by 635,434 students. Even private schools witnessed a decline of 926,051 students during the same period.

Increased Spending, Decreased Enrollment

Despite declining student numbers, government expenditure on school education has increased by 80%, from Rs 16,226.08 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 29,468.03 crore in 2023-24. The average expenditure per student in government schools more than doubled, rising from Rs 16,672 to Rs 34,631 during this period.

The minister attributed the decline in enrollment to several factors, including a reduction in the 0-6 age group population, data purification processes through child tracking, and school dropouts.

Congress MLA Pratap Grewal called for a white paper on the issue, citing a 46.22 lakh drop in total school enrollment from 2010-11 to 2022-23 despite a population increase of over one crore. Grewal argued that this stark decline demands detailed scrutiny and accountability.

The government, however, rejected the proposal, stating that a white paper would not be issued. The minister attributed the enrollment trends to demographic changes and systemic reforms, dismissing calls for deeper investigation.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee stands tall as a statesman and continues to inspire countless people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote today, paying tribute to the former Prime Minister on his birth centenary.

“Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India’s transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998 our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about 9 years, we had seen 4 Lok Sabha elections. The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance,” the Prime Minister wrote.

Prime Minister Modi said the Vajpayee era marked a gigantic leap for the Information Technology, telecom and communications sectors. “This was particularly important for a nation like ours, which is also blessed with a very dynamic Yuva Shakti. 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 world-class infrastructure project.

“Thus, the Vajpayee Government not only boosted economic growth but also brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration,” the Prime Minister wrote.

“When it comes to the social sector, an initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atal Ji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised sections. At the same time, his government presided over many economic reforms which set the stage for India’s economic surge after several decades of following an economic philosophy which encouraged cronyism and stagnation,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi then went on to underline Mr Vajpayee’s leadership when India conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran. “A wonderful example of Vajpayee Ji’s leadership can be seen in the summer of 1998. His Government had just assumed office and on 11th May, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. These tests exemplified the prowess of India’s scientific community. The world was stunned that India had done the tests and expressed their anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader would have buckled, but Atal Ji was made differently. And what happened? India stood firm and resolute with the government calling for another set of tests two days later, on 13th May! If the tests of the 11th showed scientific skill, the ones on 13th showed true leadership.”

“It was a message to the world that gone were the days when India would buckle under threats or pressure. Despite facing international sanctions, the then NDA government of Vajpayee Ji stood firm, articulating India’s right to safeguard its sovereignty while simultaneously being the strongest proponent of world peace,” Prime Minister Modi wrote about his senior in the BJP.

“Atal Ji understood Indian democracy and also the need to make it stronger. Atal Ji presided over the creation of the NDA, which redefined coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together and made NDA a force for development, national progress and regional ambitions. His Parliamentary brilliance was seen throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MPs but his words were enough to rattle the might of the all-powerful Congress Party that time. As Prime Minister, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. His was a career spent largely in the Opposition benches but never carried any trace of bitterness against anyone, even though the Congress stooped to new lows by going to the extent of calling him a traitor!” the Prime Minister wrote.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he wrote, was not one to cling on to power through opportunistic means. “He preferred to resign in 1996 instead of following the path of horse-trading and dirty politics. In 1999, his Government was defeated by 1 vote. A lot of people told him to challenge the immoral politics happening then but he preferred to go by the rules. Eventually, he came back with another resounding mandate from the people,” Prime Minister Modi wrote.

The Prime Minister elaborated how Mr Vajpayee agreed to merge his party — then Jan Sangh — with the Janata Party to challenge the Indira Gandhi government after the Emergency.

“When it comes to commitment to protecting our Constitution too, Atal Ji stands tall. He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Years later, he was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. In the run-up to the 1977 elections after the Emergency, he agreed to merger of his own Party (Jan Sangh) into the Janata Party. I am sure it would have been a painful decision for him and the others, but safeguarding the Constitution was all that mattered to him,” he wrote.

“It is also noteworthy how deeply rooted Atal Ji was in Indian culture. Upon becoming India’s External Affairs Minister, he became the first Indian leader to speak in Hindi at the United Nations. This one gesture showcased his immense pride in India’s heritage and identity, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

“Atal Ji’s persona was magnetic and his life was enriched by his love for literature and expression. A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and even offer solace. His poetry, often reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across age groups,” the Prime Minister wrote.

Prime Minister Modi said it was a privilege for BJP workers like him to be able to learn from the stalwart. “For so many Bharatiya Janata Party Karyakartas like me, it is our privilege that we were able to learn and interact with a person like Atal Ji. His contribution to the BJP was foundational. In those days to spearhead an alternative narrative to the dominant Congress showed his greatness. Alongside stalwarts like Shri LK Advani Ji and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi Ji he nurtured the party from its formative years, guiding it through challenges, setbacks and triumphs. Whenever the choice came between ideology and power, he always chose the former. He was able to convince the nation that an alternative world view from the Congress was possible and such a worldview could deliver.”

“On his 100th Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Let us strive to build an India that embodies his principles of good governance, unity, and progress. Atal Ji’s unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder,” the Prime Minister wrote.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with the Kapoor family who invited him to join them in celebrating cinema icon Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary. While speaking about the power of movies, PM Modi recounted an incident when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and veteran leader LK Advani went to watch a Raj Kapoor movie after a poll defeat.

“I remember the impact of films in those days. It was during the Jana Sangh era, and there was an election in Delhi. After the party lost, Advaniji and Atalji said, ‘What should we do now?’ Then they decided, ‘Let’s watch a movie.’ They went to watch Raj Kapoor’s ‘Phir Subah Hogi.'”

The Prime Minister also spoke about Raj Kapoor’s role in establishing India’s “soft power” all over the world. “In 1947, we had ‘Neel Kamal,’ and now as we approach 2047, it reflects the immense contribution of such a vast nation. Today, there is much talk about soft power in diplomacy, but back then, Raj Kapoor had already established India’s soft power in the world even before the world was coined,” he said.

Members of the Kapoor family, including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, were present during the interaction. The video shared by PMO also showed the Kapoor family sharing their experiences after meeting the Prime Minister.

PM Modi suggested the Kapoor family should capture the global impact of Raj Kapoor and his films through visual format.

“Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” he said.

The film festival will celebrate the centenary of Raj Kapoor, one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema, who passed away in 1988. It showcases 10 iconic Raj Kapoor films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas, with a ticket price of Rs 100. The film festival will include screenings of classics such as ‘Aag’, ‘Barsaat’, ‘Awaara’, ‘Shree 420’, and ‘Mera Naam Joker’.

Mumbai:

Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had stopped the party’s expansion outside Maharashtra on a request by Atal Bihari Vajpayee — former Prime Minister and one of the BJP’s tallest leaders — Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut has told NDTV in an exclusive interview, recalling a phase of mutual respect between the party and erstwhile ally BJP. The Sena, at the time, was ready to become a national party and had taken steps to do so, but after a phone call, it was put it on hold, Mr Raut said. 

“We had an alliance with the BJP. Especially after the Ayodhya movement, there was a wave for Balasaheb in Hindi-speaking states. We were also going to contest the elections in 1992. We were getting good support,” he said. 

“Balasaheb Thackeray was the leader of Hindus. He had become a superstar, but when he announced that he wished to contest elections, he got a call from Atal-ji. He was told that ‘Balasaheb, if you contest the elections, our votes will get divided. Once again, we will suffer a loss’,” Mr Raut recalled.  

After this Balasaheb decided that the party would not contest elections in other states. 

“Balasaheb told us that Atal-ji had called us, we should respect him, so we will not contest the elections. Had we had contested elections, 10-15 of our leaders would have got elected from outside Maharashtra,” he added. 

Even now, workers join the party in other states, but there is no leader, Mr Raut said. Uddhav Thackeray, he added, wants the party to expand. 

Mr Raut’s comments come ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra, when the Sena and the BJP, allies for decades, have split and the BJP is said to have engineered a split in the party and came to power alongside the rebel faction led by Eknath Shinde.

Mr Shinde, currently the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has been fighting for the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray, portraying Sena UBT chief and Bal Thackeray’s son Uddhav Thackeray as one who has turned his back on the Sena ideology to gain power. 

New Delhi:

In 2002, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned down the chance to become President, despite his team’s advice, stating that such a move would undermine India’s parliamentary democracy and set a dangerous example for future leaders, a new book by his media advisor claims.

Ashok Tandon, who served as Mr Vajpayee’s media advisor during his tenure as Prime Minister between 1998 to 2004, in his book The Reverse Swing: Colonialism to Cooperation, says it was the former Prime Minister who recommended APJ Abdul Kalam for presidency after KR Narayan’s term ended in 2002. The recommendation was met with surprise by Congress leaders but all parties reached a consensus after Samajwadi Party endorsed the idea.

The book quotes Mulayam Singh Yadav, the then-leader of the Samajwadi Party as saying, “Dr Kalam is my choice”.

Mr Tandon describes an episode when Mr Vajpayee’s team suggested that he be nominated as the NDA’s presidential candidate, leaving the prime ministership to LK Advani. But Mr Vajpayee worried that if a sitting Prime Minister were elected to the presidency, especially with a large majority, it would undermine India’s parliamentary democracy and set a dangerous precedent for future leaders.

“He warned that an incumbent Prime Minister becoming a President with the help of a majority in the Electoral College wouldn’t augur well in a parliamentary democracy like India and would set a very dangerous precedent and that he would be the last person to support such a move,” the book reads, according to a report by Indian Express.

“I remember, Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee and Dr Manmohan Singh came to meet him. Vajpayee virtually surprised them by disclosing officially for the first time that the NDA had decided to field Dr APJ Abdul Kalam for the Presidential election,” Mr Tandon writes.

Following Mr Vajpayee’s surprise announcement, Mr Tandon writes, there was a stunned silence before Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s voice cut through the stillness. “We are flabbergasted by your choice,” Mrs Gandhi said. “We have no option but to support him. But will discuss your proposal and take a decision.”

Former vice president and BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu was quoted in a PTI report from 2004 making a similar claim that he had suggested Mr Vajpayee take the President post but the latter again refused.