Agra University mourns loss of former student Atal Bihari Vajpayee

AGRA: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a student of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University here for several years in the 1940s. Throughout his life, he remained connected with his teachers and close friends. A day after his demise on Thursday,

Agra university

remained closed to condole the death of its illustrious alumnus. On Friday, university vice-chancellor Arvind Kumar Dixit went to New Delhi to pay homage to the former PM.

Vajpayee completed his MA in political science with first division marks from

DAV College, Kanpur

(then affiliated to Agra University). After this he secured admission in an LLB program but was not able to complete it due to his political interests.

According to the university staff, Vajpayee completed his schooling and BA in Gwalior. Back then, the princely state of Gwalior led by Jiwajirao Sindhia, use to offer scholarships to meritorious students to pursue higher studies. Vajpayee applied for the scholarship and got selected. In 1946, he got admission in Agra University’s DAV College.

Talking to TOI, vice-chancellor Arvind Kumar Dixit said, “It is a great honor for Agra university to have former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as its alumnus. Every phase of his life offers a lesson. We will surely try to carry forward his legacy.”

“In his early years, Atalji worked as a journalist. This boosted his understanding of society and politics. As a mark of respect, we have started working on a plan to develop a center of excellence in journalism named after him,” the VC added.