It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a highly respected Indian statesman and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1998 to 2004. During his long and illustrious career, Vajpayee was a Member of Parliament for five terms, and had held various cabinet portfolios. He was the first Prime Minister from outside the Indian National Congress to serve a full five-year term. Vajpayee was also well known for his strong and effective foreign policy. He played a key role in improving ties with Pakistan, and in 1998 made a historic bus ride to Lahore, where he signed a pact with the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif. Vajpayee contributed to the development of the country, most notably in terms of infrastructure. His government carried out projects such as the Golden Quadrilateral, which constructed highways linking the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. He also encouraged the use of science and technology for the development of the nation. Vajpayee was a renowned orator and poet. He was often referred to as the "Bhishma Pitamah" of Indian politics due to his wise and ethical leadership. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, in 2015. He will be remembered for his service to the nation and his commitment to creating a strong and prosperous India.