Today is the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Born on 25 December 1924 in Gwalior, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji held the post of Prime Minister thrice. He was awarded the country's highest honor Bharat Ratna in the year 2015. Leaders of opposition parties were also convinced of Vajpayee's talent and wit. Atal ji, who ruled the hearts of the people with his humble nature, had amazing leadership skills. Vajpayee, who was the Prime Minister thrice, passed away in August 2018. Let us know some unheard things related to Atal ji-

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee also has special memories of Delhi Metro. As the then Prime Minister, he inaugurated the first corridor of Delhi Metro in December 2002. A day after the inauguration of the corridor, there was such a huge crowd that paper tickets had to be issued to manage the passengers. Many people gathered at the stations out of curiosity to ride the metro even though they did not need to travel.

Paper tickets had to be issued

Vajpayee inaugurated the 8.2 km long line between Tis Hazari and Shahdara stations of the Red Line on December 24, 2002. The corridor was opened to passengers the next day. It was a coincidence that this day was Vajpayee's 78th birthday. A DMRC official said, "On the first day of the metro service (December 25, 2002), paper tickets had to be issued along with tokens and smart cards.  

I bought a smart card by standing in line like a common man

Vajpayee also bought a smart card from a counter to enter the station. The special thing was that despite being the chief guest of the program and the Prime Minister of the country, Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself stood in the queue and bought the first metro card and then traveled. This was a memorable day for Delhi.

Vajpayee and Advani used to eat CP's golgappas

Vajpayee knew every nook and corner of Delhi. Senior BJP leader LK Advani had said in an interview that he and Atal ji used to go to Connaught Place on a scooter in the 50s. Both of them used to watch movies at Regali-Rivoli and after that they used to eat golgappas from a chaat vendor nearby. Advani had said that Atal ji liked golgappas while he liked eating chaat.