After his birth, Vajpayee's parents -- Pandit Krishan Bihari and mother Krishna Devi -- moved to Gwalior. His father was a Sanskrit scholar and the district inspector of schools in the princely state of Gwalior.

Vajpayee attributes his discipline, human values and morals to the strict upbringing in his childhood days.

From (L-R): Standing: sister Kamala, Mrs Avadh Bihari, Mrs Sada Bihari, sister Vimala Sitting: Vajpayee (black coat, white cap), unknown, unknown, father Krishan Bihari (in white coat, white cap), mother Krishna Devi, brother Sada Bihari Squatting: nieces Shanta, Kiran, Urmila.