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How Atal Bihari Vajpayee took India nuclear
Updated On: 17 August, 2018 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | R Chidambaram
In his second term as prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ordered India's scientists to go ahead with testing a nuclear weapon, which would probably count as his watershed moment
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Vajpayee visits the Pokhran nuclear test site on May 20, 1998, after five successful detonations on May 11. Pic/PTI
If you look at the BJP's election manifesto, they had clearly said that they will carry out the nuclear tests if they win the 1998 election and come to power. So, when Mr. Vajpayee became prime minister, we started work and I had the opportunity of meeting him several times as we began preparing for the May 1998 tests.
He had that wonderful smile. I have never seen him without a smile. Of, course, when he laughed it was even better. More importantly, what stood out about him was that he always listened to us. Even when I made quite technical scientific presentations, he would pay close attention and listen carefully. It also help that his principal secretary Brajesh Mishra was also a wonderful person and was greatly supportive of our programme.
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