Yug Purush Bharat Ratna Atal ji

My Atal ji

"The world salutes you,

Oh national hero Atal Bihari!"

Tumhein Naman Atal Bihari

Rastrprem kee prabaldhaara

Jinke maanas mein bahatee hai

Bharat Ma kee charan vandana

Jinke swabhaav mein rahtee hai.

Tumhein naman jag kaa, he rashtra nayak Atal Bihari!

Ghup andhiyaare mita jinhone

Jag ko nayaa ujaas diyaa,

Parhit saris dharm nahin bhaai

Jeevan kaa vishvaas diya.

Parhit jeevan arpan saaraa, deenjanon kee vipda taaree.

Tumhein naman jag kaa, he rashtra nayak Atal Bihari!

Adhikaaron se banchit the jo

Unako hit kartavya kiye,

Apnee atal mann ichchha se

Bharat ko oonchai bhavy diye.

Bate nahin manavmooly dharaa par, aise ho purashaarthee bhaaree

Tumhein naman jag kaa, he rashtra nayak Atal Bihari!

Kasht uthaakar kiye nahin

Samjhaute haalaaton se,

Bharat ko sammaan dilaaya

Dridh nishchayee baaton se.

Nai kraanti ke srijak, tum par maanavataa balihaaree.

Tumhein naman jag kaa, he rashtra nayak Atal Bihari!

(A poem by Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Atal ji’s birthday, 25th December 2015, receiving the Bharat Ratna.)

My Atal ji

The custodian of Indian culture, shining star of politics, simple, sensitive, sympathetic nature, devoted himself to Mother India, writing about this great man is a matter of pride. A trailblazer in Indian politics, a friend to all, and former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is one of those rare politicians who got national acceptance, and that’s why he achieved an image of a public leader. He is that leader whose approval has been irrespective of caste, religion, community, sector, and party in India and globally from people of all sectors and ages.

He was a successful poet, journalist, spokesperson, thinker, and vigorous politician and had a multidimensional personality. He was the founder member of a political party, a volunteer of a national volunteer organization, chief editor of the organization’s newspaper Rashtra Dharma, a counterparty politician for decades, a foreign minister, and a three-time Prime Minister.

While being a vigorous poet and spokesperson, Atal ji’s a man of outstanding leadership capabilities. On the one hand, having active participation in politics, he made his specific identity in the world of literature through his heart-touching and sensitive poems and, on the other hand, was also known for his amazing speeches, written in his own special and emotional way.

He is touted to be the magician of words. Even today, the whole Nation wants to listen to his speeches filled with India’s dignity, majesty, magnification, human values and modesty. Every word said by him was argued upon, and its implications were talked about. There is no doubt that after the independence, Atal ji is considered one of the best spokespersons of India and the whole world. He was the only prime minister of independent India who, through his political tactfulness, intelligence and calm nature, led India indisputably and smoothly, having an opposition formed of an alliance of 24 parties of various ideologies. Atal Ji was that politician who, to maintain the Sovereignty of our country, did nuclear testing at Pokharan and increased our global importance by showing our Nation’s strength.

My relationship with Atal ji is from 1984. I was not actively a part of politics. When in the year 1984, he came on a Uttarakhand tour, I was lucky to have gotten a chance to be with him from Pauri to several places. I gifted him my poetic work, ‘Samarpan’ during that time. I remember that he stood in the courtyard of the Resthouse of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Pauri, and had been watching the Himalayas for a long.

From Pauri, the series of Himalayan mountains looked very expanded. By pointing a finger, he kept asking me what the name of that was, what is this mountain called, and soon. I can see the Himalayas from here in which direction are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. I showed him Chaukhamba, Trishul and Nandi Devi mountain tops with all excitement. He discussed Uttarakhand’s economic and geographical status, daily routine, and several other problems. After knowing about the life and military history of the people of Uttarakhand, he once said to me, Really, the people of Uttarakhand have faced injustice. They should be given their rights. And when he became the Prime Minister, during his Ministerial period, he approved the formation of the state of Uttarakhand. Also, by giving Uttarakhand a special state economic package, he maintained the foundation of Uttarakhand’s beautiful, developed, and well-governed state.

I am so fortunate he was so affectionate towards me. It was his order and inspiration that I joined politics, despite not wanting to join it. Atal ji always kept inspiring me to write poems and stories. At the launch of my collection of stories, Khade huye prashn, held on May 22, 2007, at India International Center, Max Mueller Marg, Delhi, he said he was attending any literary after such an extended function. The speech he gave in his familiar jesting style will always remain a source of inspiration for me and the nation. He also recited two of his poems in the same spirit, and people laughed aloud. I am giving here the exact description of his speech, he said:

Friends,

I am pleased to be here today at this event. After many days, I have come to a literary event, not after many days but after many years. Politics and literature go along with distance and then separate their ways. Finally, they dissolve so much that politics dominates it, and literature is discussed.

When I went through Nishank ji’s poem collection, I saluted him, not one but for many collections. I said that you keep writing and you write without getting tired. You continuously keep writing; you are great (takes a long pause). But, as I told you, those who used to write before have stopped writing. they want others to write about them, but when you don’t write about others, why would they write about you? (laughter echoed across the hall.)

But I read Nishank ji’s compositions, and I guess there are 11 stories, and first of all, I liked ‘Khade huye prashan’ most. Whenever we talk about something, want to interpret a fact, raise a question, sit questions, don’t walk, sleeping questions are not even counted(echoes of laughter are heard again).

If a question is raised, it’s a challenge. If a question is asked, an answer is expected. When I ask a question, it must be kept raised, but (looks left and right, taking a pause) the attempt to find an answer must be continuously taken.

I was reading Nishank ji’s stories. Small stories, touching stories, giving a feel of life, connect the rural and hilly regions. But, if you see them now, you’ll find discomfort, pain, and pain will leave even more questions.

The students of politics and literature must remain connected. When I read Nishank ji’s compositions list, I am not talking about reading the essays. When I read the list of his compositions, I acknowledged his caliber (nodding in his specific way).

Writing is a meditation. When feelings are converted into words, it must be understood that it has some originality, it is something solid, they want to take shape, and the journey begins later. I congratulate Nishank ji. Although, I am afraid of how long his uninterrupted writing sequence will last.

Literature and politics (takes a pause) don’t mean that politics can’t be a part of literature and literature can’t be a part of politics. Nowadays, politics is swaying from all corners. Once I went to some event, I would recite one of my poems(uniquely moving his neck). They said, Sir, you give a speech only; we want to listen to your address. I said, is my poem any less than my speech?! (horse laughter is heard again)

Whatever I have said, it must be noticed if it is in my speech, but it won’t be paid any heed to the poem. This doesn’t seem right. Nishank Ji’s work will increase, new ministries are being formed, and I am surprised to see his list. A minister of so many departments, how can he contemplate, meditate, study, and teach? He does, and he’s good at it. This is the least I can say about Nishank ji, but where is the time?

In Nishank ji’s stories, two questions are unemployment and poverty. A young man lives in a village and there’s no farming or very little of it; a man wants to settle down, where should he settle down? A job is needed and that too a government job, and for that, he needs a recommendation and to get it, he must have some connections.

Have you worked anywhere else before? (takes a long pause)now that he has to start work, where will he start from! (the hall is filled with laughter) If you haven’t started working, you won’t get a job, and if you don’t have a job, life won’t move on. What will happen to the home, what will happen to the family, and what will happen to the children? All these questions come up. That’s why when we say that we will build a society where no one will be hungry, no one will be illiterate, no one will fall sick, and if he does fall ill, he will be treated. I am reading about the escorts these days, the doctor who once did operations is being operated on (waving a hand in a unique style), and if there is a decision to be made about him, the doctors must decide, knowledgeable people must choose, but no, managers are different. The category of managers is other, and they manage. The managers only manage the doctors.

This situation will change. (Shyam Singh Shashi Ji, presiding there, says something). I can sense some despair in Shashi ji’s tone. I know him of old, and he is not disappointed. But the situation is changing. Leave these 2-3 years, whoever you might be, it has been 3 years. Now people say what next..? (in a sarcastic way) told, This only an astrology can tell..! (audience laugh)

But we will not give up, and we will not be disappointed. We will survive and fight. This feeling must always be alive. I know that this is difficult work, but the difficulty makes it worthy of being done. Nowadays, I am scared to attend literary events, especially in Kavi Sammelan. They invited me, saying I’ll have to recite a poem. But when I do recite a poem, they ask me to shift to prose instead because they know what I will say in my poetry? It isn’t easy; hence, I will ask Nishank Ji to check his poems’ files. It’s okay if it’s a gathering of a small number of people, but at least they should sit together and share their views.

It pains me to see that schemes are formed, and we are the ones who make them. And in them comes first the tasks of giving employment. But the projects can’t work. There will be many barriers. They’ll need to be solved; a way must be found out; as I said, he is a minister now, he can work a little more, he can do additional work, but sensibility, the sensibility in the heart that must not be low must not die. And when a person makes his sensibility into that of the country’s and the society’s sensibility, then change happens.

Friends, I am thankful for you all that you called me and allowed me to speak. I hope that Nishank Ji keeps writing continuously; reading is my wish. This small event of today points in that direction only. I am grateful, I thank you for it, and I bless Nishank Ji to bless is the easiest, but Nishank Ji knows that the blessing that I am giving that’s not just a blessing. It has hope, and it has expectations. Along with politics, his poetry, his writing must keep alive; let him be working, that’s needed. Thank you very much.

Geet nahin gaataa hoon.

Benakaab chehre hain daag bade gahre hain

Tootataa tilism kaa sach se bhay khaataa hoon.

Geet nayaa gaataa hoon.

Peeth mein churee saa chand, rahu gayaa rekha baandh,

Mukti ke kshanon mein baar-baar bandhaa jaata hoon.

Geet nahin gaataa hoon.

There’s something more ahead… (tries to remember the rest of the poem, so one of his assistant gives him an opened book. On that page, it is written ‘Geet nayaa gaataa hoon’ instead of ‘Geet nahin gaataa hoon’)

Well, it is saying something else…

Geet nayaa gaataa hoon…

(wondering in his specific way)

I was just saying ‘Geet nahin gaataa hoon’..

(the hall echoed with laughter)

Geet nayaa gaataa hoon.

Toote hue taaron se, phoote basantee swar,

Patthar kee chhaatee mein ug aayaa naa ankur,

Jhade sab peele paat,

Koyal kee kook raat,

Praachee mein arunimaa kee ret dekh paataa hoon,

Geet nayaa gaataa hoon.

Toote hue sapne kee kaun sune siskee,

Ant kee chir vyatha, palkon par thithkee,

Haar nahin maanoonga,

Raar nahin thaanoonga.

Kal ke kapaal par likhta, mitaata hoon.

Geet nayaa gaataa hoon.

Thank you very much.

(a huge round of applause could be heard in the hall)

***

Every word said by this great personality of Indian politics has a memorable image and is still embedded in the hearts of every Indian. The successful one who has built an image of his creativity worldwide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, felicitated Atal ji with Bharat Ratna, making India and the world proud. A generous human-Atal ji will always be a source of inspiration for the new generation and politicians worldwide.

Many books have already been published on Atal ji’s life and political stature. Still, for so long, I wanted to write about this prominent politician and thinker, whose blessings have always been upon me.

It has been my great honor that I got an opportunity to be with him. This book, based on personal experiences and varied sources, is in your hand now. I have complete faith that in the moments of despair, this book will become a source of hope for you and will inspire you to keep going in life without any failure.

Yours,

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’

[email protected]

Life’s Introduction

Forty years of my political life is an open book. When I entered politics, I never thought that I’d become a PM.

Life’s Introduction

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on 25th December 1924 at a camp house in Gwalior. At the time of his birth, the sound of bells from the nearby Churches and cannonballs was heard. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s grandfather, Pt. Shyamlal Vajpayee lived in Bateshwar village of Baha Tehsil of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Bateshwar village, in old times, was known for its religious, cultural, and literary lineage. In addition, there is an ancient Lord Shiva temple known named ‘Bateshwar Mahadev.’

In the Vajpayee linage, Pt. Kashi Prasad Vajpayee was known in the entire village for his intelligence. He was the great grandfather of Atal Vajpayee. Pt. Kashi Prasad Vajpayee had one son and a daughter. Soon after his daughter’s marriage, he passed away. At that time, his son Pt. Shyamlal Vajpayee was very young. Like his father, Shyamlal Vajpayee also went to Varanasi for his studies. He studied Sanskrit Literature so well that he memorized many sacred books in the gurukul. Pt. Shyamlal Vajpayee was married in Ater village of Bhind district. Smt. Sukhdev was his wife. After the death of many infants, only one son and one daughter could survive. After providing proper education, Shyamlal Vajpayee married off his daughter to a Dixit family in Lucknow. In contrast, his son, Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, was married to Sumo Devi from Itawa. Later, her children changed her name to Krishna, and after that, she was known by this name only. The same Pt. Krishna Bihari Vajpayee was Atal ji’s father and Smt. Krishna Devi was his mother.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s grandfather Pt. Shyamlal Bihari Vajpayee was a man of farsightedness. He stayed in Bateshwar all his life but advised his son to shift to Gwalior because there wasn’t a good source of income in Bateshwar. So when Krishna Bihari Vajpayee started teaching in Gwalior, he was only high-school passed. He later did Intermediate, B.A. and M.A. in Hindi privately.

Pt. Krishna Bihari Vajpayee used to write compositions along with teaching. His poems were filled with patriotism. A sleeping lion doesn’t get a deer for a meal this famous quote was given by him only. He was a prominent poet of Gwalior during those times. Pt. Krishna Bihari Vajpayee was a teacher, headmaster, and principal at Gorakhi School and later got promoted to the respected position of District School Examiner.

Pt. Krishna Bihari Vajpayee had four sons, Avadh Bihari Vajpayee, Sada Bihari Vajpayee, Prem Bihari Vajpayee, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and three daughters, Vimla, Kamla, and Urmila. The pure Indian ambiance of the family was imbibed in Atal ji since childhood. He became an active volunteer of Arya Kumar Sabha. His family was very loyal to the organization. As a result, Atal ji was naturally interested in it and later became a volunteer in the National Volunteer Corps. He was very inclined towards studies since childhood. Atal ji himself said- My grandfather was a well-known scholar of Sanskrit. There were thousands of Sanskrit books in a small house of the village. He would walk around the village and read Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, and that’s how the whole family sustained. My father got love for literature from his father. He was a great Hindi poet. So my family automatically sowed the seeds of literature in me. Since childhood, I used to go through my grandfather’s books.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s mother, Smt. Krishna Devi, was a very soft-spoken and straightforward lady. She loved reading Ramayana, doing Tulsi Pooja, Fasting, etc. She gave those sacraments to her children also.

"India is the land of worship, the land of greetings and the land of offering.

Every particle here has the essence of Lord Shiva.

Every drop here is the holy water of River Ganga.We live and die for her."

Education

He was sent to school when he attained five years. He passed middle school from Gorakhi School. Then he was admitted to Victoria College (now Maharani Laxmibai Govt. School). Besides high school and intermediate, he completed his B.A. in Hindi Literature, Sanskrit Literature, English Literature, and General English, with Ist Division.

In 1933, he was elected secretary of the Victoria College students union, and in 1940 and 1944, he was elected as the Vice President of the students union. Only a professor could be elected president of the students union in those times. Apart from that, in 1942, he was elected as the Debate secretary. Vajpayee ji always took part in Debates, wrote his poems, recited them in a melodious voice and won prizes. Apart from debates, Atal Bihari Vajpayee attended Kavi Sammelan frequently and read his poetry. When he was doing B.A. many of his poems were already became famous. Atal ji wished to study M.A. in Political science and Law. In those times, Victoria College didn’t have M.A. course. So he decided to go to Kanpur to do his M.A. (political science) and study Law. He was permitted to do an M.A. and Law from Agra University.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to D.A.V. College. His father, Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, was already retired from his service. He also took admission to study M.A. along with Atal ji. And Atal ji had already taken admission in M.A. The father-son duo used to stay together in the hostel.

D.A.V. College got four top positions in M.A. and in those four, Atal ji was second. Trilokinath Srivastava, who was only two marks ahead of Atal ji was on top.

Apart from studies, Atal Bihari Vajpayee spent most of his time doing the organization’s work. He didn’t have time to participate in sports and other activities but enthusiastically participated in literary work. In 1942, when Gandhi ji gave the slogan "Angrejo Bharat Chhoro’, Atal ji led the student groups in Gwalior. When the protest took a violent turn and arrests were started, Atal ji was sent to Bateshwar, but he was held captive there. That was the first time he was sent to jail.

After passing M.A. with first division, he started studying Law but didn’t complete it and decided to do a Ph.D. from Lucknow University. In those days, students who passed with first division used to appear for IAS exams or do Ph.D. Atal ji wanted to become a professor instead of doing a government job.

Only by giving importance to mutual cooperation and sacrifice, human society can enjoy the advantages of progress and prosperity.

Political Journey

Vajpayee ji began his political journey with innate creativity when he played an important role in forming a political party in 1951 named Jan Sangh. Through his skillful way of expression, he faired greatly in the beginning. Even Nehru ji was a big admirer of his oratory style. In 1957, he won the seat from Balrampur (Gonda district, UP) as a candidate of Jan Sangh and reached Lok Sabha. From 1968 to 1973, he remained the president of the Jan Sangh party. From 1957 to 1977, he remained the leader of the MPs of the Jan Sangh for 20 years till the formation of the Janata Party. In the government of Morarji Desai, being a Foreign Minister from 1977 to 1979, he worked towards building an image of India worldwide.

The opposition successfully united because of the Emergency. In the next Lok Sabha election, Indira Gandhi could not win. Through the united opposition, in the prime ministership of Morarji Desai, Janata Party came into governance, and Atal ji became foreign minister. He was also known to be a specialist in foreign affairs. He travelled to many countries and kept India’s side.

Atal ji also travelled to Pakistan. During his conversation with the then military head Zia-Ul-Haq, he contracted the ‘Farakka-Gangajal’ partition. Apart from that, he also talked about the reinstatement of rail services between India and Pakistan. Atal ji also laid the settlement with Bangladesh about River Ganga’s water distribution. As a foreign minister, he also specified India’s plans on Nuclear power and stated the importance of nuclear energy for India. Atal ji also had discussions with Nepal’s foreign minister concerning new policies of business and transportation.

Atal ji has attained many feathers in his cap with his capabilities in which his meeting with Pakistan’s president Zia-Ul-Haq holds much importance. Moreover, Atal ji started a new tradition by giving a speech in Hindi at the UNO and raising the pride of our language.

In 1979, the government formed by the Janata Party and the Party itself dissolved because of specific differences, and the Jan Sangh too, after separating from the alliance, hosted a massive session on 6th April 1980 and formed a new party called ‘Bhartiya Janata Party.’ Vajpayee was elected as the national president of the Party.

Atal ji received a historic welcome in this session. In 1980, for the 7th Lok Sabha, Atal ji was elected from New Delhi Constituency and was selected as leader of elected members of the Bhartiya Janata Party. In the 1984 Lok Sabha election, Atal ji contested from the seat of Gwalior but lost to Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, and in 1986 he was elected as a member of Rajya Sabha.

In 1991, he won from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. Then, he resigned from the seat of Vidisha and accepted the candidature from Lucknow. Atal ji again won from Lucknow in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections. In this election, Bhartiya Janata Party came through with the highest majority, and Vajpayee ji took oath as the Prime Minister on 16th May 1996 at noon. But the BJP government could only sustain for 13 days because, except for Samta Party, Haryana Vikas Party, Akali Dal, and Shiv Sena, the rest of the 13 big and small parties united and voted against the BJP. On 28th May 1996, the Bhartiya Janata Party couldn’t prove its majority during the vote of confidence, and right then, Prime Minister Vajpayee gave his resignation letter to the President. In the 1998 elections, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was elected from Lucknow and became the prime minister again.

On 19th March 1998, under the leadership of Vajpayee, National Democratic Alliance formed its government, and on 28th March 1998, it proved its majority in the Lok Sabha. This government lasted elected 13 months. In the 13th Lok Sabha elections, Vajpayee ji was again elected from Lucknow, and NDA again came into power under his leadership. Vajpayee ji took the oath of the Prime Minister for the 3rd time on 13th October 1999, and it remained in existence till 6th February 2004. In the 14th Lok Sabha elections, Vajpayee ji was again elected from the seat of Lucknow constituency and announced that he wouldn’t fight elections again.

Golden parliamentary journey

Vajpayee had been a member and president of various committees in his political journey. On 25th January 1992, Vajpayee was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan award. On 20th January 1993, Kanpur University conferred with honorary D.Litt. Award. On 28th September 1992, Hindi Sansthan of Uttar Pradesh felicitated him with ‘Hindi Gaurav.’ In August 1994, he was given the Lokmanya Tilak Award. On 17th August 1994, he was awarded the best parliamentarian award the Parliament with consensus. He said, I am aware of my limitations on that occasion. I know my flaws. The decision-makers have ignored my flaws and have chosen me. Limitations can’t be seen when in harmony. This nation is incredible, and it’s unique; any stone can be prayed to by applying vermilion on it. Constitution and law carry their importance, but if democracy is reduced to just a framework, is changed just to a ritual, its innate power is reduced and can create problems. It is our responsibility that its innate power should not be reduced. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I will try my best to keep my actions worthy of this award. But, if I stumble, this award should keep warning me that I can’t afford to lose track. Thank you very much.

Living a simple life, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an idol of great thoughts, and he read more than he talked. He meditated more than he read. These are the characteristics of a great personality that could be seen in him. At present, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is India’s great leader and has a memorable image on the national front. Still, his love for literature and his poetic facet is also loved by many. Although being in politics, he had no enemies, and patriotism is well engraved in him. In the words of Vajpayee ji itself, We will live and die for this country. Every particle of this holy land has an essence of Lord Shiva in it. Every drop is pious water of River Ganga. So I will feel proud in happily bestowing my life for India.

The then Lok Sabha speaker Anant Shaynam Aayangar had said, Atal ji is the best Hindi orator. He speaks very little, but it’s heart touching when he does. It touches one’s soul.

His contemporaries tell that when he started speaking in the Parliament, with his eyes closed, it seemed as if he wasn’t conscious but speaking while asleep. Still, the words he said, those words went beyond the verbal limits of kindness, pain, despair, and experience and landed into the depths of emotions. The truth is that he could play with words but always remained within limits. He had been the magician of words. He was never tempted to do any wrongdoing. On the contrary, he understood the importance of maintaining social cordiality. His ability to think of national interest above the interest of his party was commendable.

The way he enchanted millions of Indians with his epic speeches, could any leader do it? Bharat Ratna could have only been given to him for his eloquence. Rarely have there been leaders in Indian politics, who have been listened to with pin-drop silence, be it in public gatherings or Lok Sabha. Atal Bihari Vajpayee is considered among them.

Whether as a Prime Minister or an opposition leader, be it about the country or the revolutionaries or about his poems, he never missed keeping his opinions to the point and in a straightforward manner.

Atal ji was democratic by nature itself. Even while working for National Volunteer Corps, he maintained his independent image and made it reach farther heights, which is magic in itself. Atal didn’t stop himself from criticizing and making fun of government policies in his articles. It can be a matter of pride in any democracy that a leader who had spent 60-70 years in politics and his whole political career isn’t one instance of bitterness or inadequacy.

Atal ji never took revenge against opposition parties or leaders during his ministerial period. Power never fanaticized him. After being in the counterparty for almost 50 years, even the opposition commends him for his speeches and his work for the country. How many leaders, being the counterparty, have dared to compliment the excellent work of the ruling party? If the Indian Parliament has given him the title of the Best Parliamentarian, then the respect for the title itself has increased.

Symbol of mutual consent and harmony

To be like a lotus in the filth is something others should learn from Atal ji. The biggest thing is that he was the first PM who taught Indian Democracy the tradition of alliance and understood the importance of mutual consent and harmony. It is no less than magic to lead a government for more than its tenure and keep more than 2 dozen parties together. In the conflicts between Jan Sangh and BJP, sidelining the matter and persuading his party is only possible for a refined leader. If he weren’t democratic, would it have been challenging to keep Farookh Abdullah, Chandrababu Naidu, Mamta Banerjee, and Chautala? If the country didn’t have a leader like him during those times, would it have been possible for George Fernandez and Sharad Yadav to move along with volunteers of the Sangh?

To maintain amicability amongst various people and thoughts is the second name of democracy. His behaviour in the cabinet meetings was never stressful, and if anyone raised an issue or said anything against him, he encouraged such discussions and finished that with his words. That’s why, by giving him Bharat Ratna, the Government of India has strengthened the fundamental values of our democracy. Atal ji is so well retained in our minds that giving him Bharat Ratna is like giving words to the feelings of millions of Indians that they have for him.

His achievements during his prime ministership can be seen as ‘he did, what he said.’ After becoming the Prime Minister, his words and deeds were the same. It was possible only for the fearless and universally accepted. Atal ji, to put up statements clearly and powerfully. Be it making better relations with neighbouring countries, the China tour or Lahore Bus tour or repulsing enemies at Kargil or the Agra conversation or reinstatement of sports relations or Nuclear testing, or keeping his blunt opinion at WTO or refusing America’s help to mediate.

During his power, the economy of the country reached new heights- Foreign exchange reserves, Information technology, Outsourcing, Kisan Bima yojna, Kisan credit card, Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak pariyojna, Golden quadrilateral highway, Integration of rivers, Coastline, Improvement in telecommunication services, Expansion of energy sector and dozens of such schemes that were started during Atal ji’s tenure and successfully helping Indian to make a place among developed nations in today’s time. As a Prime Minister, where on the one hand, he made the country proud of its strength by testing at Pokharan. Then, he launched the Golden quadrilateral highway network project, keeping a solid foundation of structural growth for generations to come. He was very generous in his thoughts related to economics. He realized the importance of maintaining essential infrastructure. National highway projects and developments related to the Energy sector are a part of his heritage.

His dream was to connect all four corners of India through the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) Project. And started it during his tenure. Delhi, Bombay, Kolkata, and Chennai were connected within this project. After Shershah Suri, only Atal ji gave importance to the road network. When India didn’t get a Supercomputer from America, he encouraged the great scientist Vijay Bhatkar and made a Supercomputer in India itself. He developed it in India only when he didn’t get a Cryogenic engine.

He resolved the century-old matter of the Kaveri water issue. Personnel for communication infrastructure, IT personnel for softwares, Central Electricity Regularity Commission for energy distribution, etc. were arranged. New Telecom policy for national highways and airports and Konkan railways were established to strengthen basic communication infrastructure. National Security Council, Economic advisory council, and Trade and industry council were also formed. He had a meeting with chief ministers to control the prices of essential consumer products. He started Poverty eradication programs for people below BPL in Orissa. To promote Housing development, he ended the Urban ceiling act. He initiated Rural Employment Generation Programme and started an insurance facility for Indians living outside India. The BJP party, blamed for being a Hindu-dominant party, as a leader of that party Prime Minister Vajpayee started Roza Iftar programs under government expenses.

Atal ji worked towards exciting the morale of the soldiers. He also appreciated former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi for keeping the foundation stone of the Nuclear program. For Atal ji, national interest has always been above partisan politics. Therefore, he should be called generous for appreciating the achievements of the opposition. Calling youth the future of our nation, Prime Minister Atal ji talked about the importance of stopping ‘brain-drain’ (foreign shifting of young talent). Instead, he invoked the youth to focus on serving their motherland.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not just live a life of a politician. He only stayed in politics for a short period. His whole life went into struggle and hard work, then only he could present his thoughts in the Parliament. Atal ji, in his lifetime, worked upon thousands of politicians and made them eligible enough to put sacrificial fuel into this yajna of patriotism called politics and then gave them the yajna seat, but never took credit or controlled for the sake of politics.

He led his way but gave his supporters the polite feel of being his equal. He was a philosophical politician, because of which he gave a vibe of being unfit for practical politics. But it felt pleasant when, while offering an impression of being incompetent in one moment, in another, he would beat the opposition with his creativity and eloquence and would again, affectionately, hug them with his thoughts and maintain the balance. This art is what made him Atal ji.

"A man is neither significant nor insignificant

Neither consequential nor trivial

A man is just a man."

Indisputable Name

Not only in Indian politics but even in world politics, if there’s one name that isn’t associated with any dispute, that would be Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This is the name behind several achievements attached but zero conflicts. Atal ji’s lessons have less on politics and more on national consciousness during his whole lifespan. He has spent his entire life like a sage but fulfilled his moral duties. Stoical while being in power is his beauty. He has drawn a long line, which his supporters have to lengthen and keep in their hearts.

Fierce nationalist, Pt. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth date ‘25th December’ is now celebrated as a ‘good governance day’ by the Bhartiya Janata Party. On good governance, Atal ji once said, in an interview, "The country needs good governance. It is of utmost importance that the government should follow its primary duties and should indiscriminately provide protection, education, treatment, and shelter to all citizens. In the last 50 years, at the pace this work should have been done, it did not happen. People expect a good government and a clean government. Where strength and strictness will be needed, there our government will show firmness and if there’s a possibility to talk out the issues, efforts will be taken in that direction.

India of their dreams can then be made, and the general public’s lives will light up. This charismatic leader of independent India will be remembered for his personality and creativity for eons.

The Home Minister of India and former President of Bhartiya Janata Party, Rajnath Singh, wrote about Atal ji that Shri Vajpayee Ji’s life is an open book. Every page of it is a life lesson. It teaches a lesson and, more than that, the style of simplicity. Maybe that would have been the reason for choosing the lotus as its symbol while forming the Bhartiya Janata Party. Life of Shri Vajpayee ji is like that lotus only, who, amidst the political filth, not only kept blooming and emanating fragrance but also the dirt couldn’t even touch it.

India’s former Deputy Prime Minister, BJP’s former President, and veteran politician, Lal Krishna Advani ji, wrote about Atal ji in the year 2000 in one of his articles- "If there’s someone who can fill the void created by the martyrdom of Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, then it is Atal, whose approach and judiciousness surpasses his age. In the next 40 years, I can’t stay in Indian politics without being affected by Vajpayee. Atal Bihari, undoubtedly, is today’s, Shyamaprasad Mukherjee.

Shri Advani ji further wrote - On the other hand politics is full of dwarfs, that’s why Atal ji looks like a great personality in front of his contemporaries. So it’s not surprising that he has become a source of expectations and aspirations for people.

That day will be important when democracy will become a universal criteria and when the United Nations will include democracy into its Institutions and activities

Personality

"India is the land of worship, the land of gratefulness.

It is the land of contentment, the land of offering.

Every particle here has the essence of Lord Shiva. Every drop here is the pious water of River Ganga.

We will live and die for her."

Epitome of Decency

Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji was not just a simple, honest human but also a popular leader. This is also one of the reasons why he is called the Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also called him the Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics in his speeches in the Rajya Sabha. Once, he said, in front of the whole country, I am Atal, but am not ‘Bihari.’ Then people took it very weirdly. People thought he was insulting ‘Bihar.’ In reality, his father named him ‘Atal Bihari’ as if ‘Vasant-vihar,’ ‘Shyam-vihar,’ ‘Yamuna-vihar.’ Hence, his real name is Atal Bihari. But everyone knows that ‘Atal’ is not just a word or a name. He is a refined book on several subjects, and he is a philosophy in self. He knew India, and he knew its mindset with India.

Atal ji is a single body, but he holds heaps of qualities. He is at the pinnacle of the Everest of exploration. He is a preacher of humanity, and Goddess Saraswati resides on whose tongue. Till today when the whole nation thinks of Atal ji, the roar of his speeches echoes in their ears. The rhythm, verse, tone, modulation, gesture, and intonation of vocals of his speeches comes in front of the eyes like a virtual image.

Atal ji is that tireless person from Jansangh to BJP, watching who makes the workers super happy and proud. It makes them feel brave. The person who can raise the enthusiasm and energy of the people around him and affect their mindset, in reality, that person must be revered.

Leader of the Masses

Filled with the feeling of Vasudeva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), an advocate of Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (truth-godliness-beauty), Atal ji, debuted in active politics in the year 1955. Earlier, he went to jail in 1942, awakening the light of patriotism. Atal ji was very popular among his critics because of his simple life, great thinking, integrity, and ethics. He was felicitated as The Best Parliamentarian In 1994 and Most honest person in 1998.

Atal ji is the only member of the Parliament who won from 6 different constituencies of 4 other states, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. In 1957, for the first time, Atal ji reached the Parliament from the Balrampur constituency, and till 2009 he became 10 times the member of Lok Sabha and 2 times the member of Rajya Sabha. Owing to his leadership capabilities and farsightedness, in 1951, while being a founder member of Jan Sangh, he was given the leadership responsibilities of the Jan Sangh on his young shoulders after Shyamaprasad Mukherjee and Deendayal Upadhyay.

In the starting days of politics, he lost Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow, but in 1957, Jan Sangh made him contest from three seats Lucknow, Balrampur, and Mathura. He lost two seats, but the people of Balrampur chose him, and he reached Lok Sabha for the second time. This victory was just the beginning of a fantastic parliamentary career for the coming five decades. He served for almost 50 years as a member of the Parliament.

Never Accepted Defeat from Defeats

Just for once, he had to accept defeat in 1984 from Gwalior against Madhavrao Scindia in the elections. However, Madhavrao was always elected from the constituency of Guna. However, Atal ji once mentioned that he asked Madhavrao in the corridor of the Parliament whether he was fighting from the seat of Gwalior. At that time, Madhavrao was denied, but according to the strategy of Congress, suddenly, his nomination was filed from Gwalior. Vajpayee ji didn’t have a chance to enroll himself from another seat. He said he had lost because of the wave of sympathy and Scindia’s effect.

At that time, mother Vijayaraje Scindia was definitely in crisis because she supported BJP’s Atal ji, and in the opposition, his son Madhavrao stood in the election. In this situation, she requested the people of Gwalior that on one side it’s my child and on the other, my son, the decision is in your hands. After the death of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the country had a tremendous wave of Congress.

An incident happened that introduced people to his great personality. So happened that Atal ji lost the election with around