Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart Lal Krishna Advani celebrated his 98th birthday on Saturday, receiving warm wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who praised the veteran leader as a visionary statesman who significantly shaped India's political landscape.
Prime Minister's Heartfelt Tribute
Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his admiration for the former deputy prime minister. "Greetings to Shri LK Advani Ji on his birthday. A statesman blessed with towering vision and intellect, Advani Ji's life has been dedicated to strengthening India's progress," the Prime Minister wrote in his post.
PM Modi further emphasized Advani's unwavering commitment to public service, noting that "he has always embodied the spirit of selfless duty and steadfast principles." The Prime Minister added that "his contributions have left an indelible mark on India's democratic and cultural landscape" and concluded with wishes for good health and long life for the senior leader.
Key Milestones in LK Advani's Remarkable Journey
Born in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, to parents Kishenchand and Gyanidevi Advani, he built a life dedicated to nation-building. He married Kamla Advani and is father to two children, Pratibha and Jayant.
His educational journey began at St. Patrick's school in Karachi between 1936-1942. The year 1942 marked a significant turning point when he joined the RSS as a Swayamsevak and enrolled at Dayaram Gidumal National College in Hyderabad during the Quit India movement. He also served as a teacher at Model High School in Karachi in 1944.
Political Legacy and Nation Building
Advani played a pivotal role in scripting the BJP's rise as a formidable political force. He worked closely with Atal Bihari Vajpayee and served as Secretary of the Delhi State Jana Sangh. His political career reached new heights when he entered the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and was elected president of Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1972.
In a historic political move, Lal Krishna Advani co-founded the Bharatiya Janata Party with his close friend Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1980. He contested his first Lok Sabha election in 1989 from the New Delhi seat and went on to serve as BJP chief for the longest period since the party's inception, holding the national president position three times during 1986-1990; 1993-1998, and 2004-2005.
His parliamentary career spanned nearly three decades, during which he served as Home Minister and later as Deputy Prime Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet from 1999-2004. Earlier, between March 1977 and July 1979, Advani held the position of Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
Landmark Movements and Recognition
Advani was at the forefront of the Ayodhya Ram Temple movement and initiated a Rath Yatra in the 1990s to demand temple construction at Ram Janmabhoomi. His political journey also included imprisonment during the Emergency period when he was arrested in Bangalore and taken to Bangalore Central Jail along with other BJS members.
In recognition of his immense contributions to the nation, Lal Krishna Advani was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2024. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious award upon him at a ceremony held at his residence in New Delhi on March 31, 2024. He had previously received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour.
Beyond politics, according to India Today, Advani was known as a film critic who loved chocolates, movies, and cricket, showcasing the multifaceted personality of one of India's most influential political figures.
