{"id":264673,"date":"2023-08-16T08:57:09","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T08:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamslivenews.com\/2023\/08\/16\/remembering-atal-bihari-vajpayee-a-stalwarts-legacy-lives-on\/"},"modified":"2023-08-16T08:57:09","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T08:57:09","slug":"remembering-atal-bihari-vajpayee-a-stalwarts-legacy-lives-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hamslive.com\/news\/2023\/08\/remembering-atal-bihari-vajpayee-a-stalwarts-legacy-lives-on\/","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A stalwart\u2019s legacy lives on"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vajpayee\u2019s journey in Indian politics is a saga of resilience, innovation, and diplomacy. Known for his exceptional oratory skills and his astonishing talent with words, he left an indelible mark on the nation\u2019s political landscape. <\/p>\n

August 16, 2023 marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of one of India\u2019s iconic political figures, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A key figure in Indian politics and the first-ever Prime Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vajpayee\u2019s impact remains deeply etched in the nation\u2019s narrative.<\/p>\n

On this solemn occasion, leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gathered at the \u2018Sadaiv Atal\u2019 memorial to pay their respects to the late statesman. Floral tributes were offered to the visionary leader who steered India\u2019s course through transformative times.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Modi took to social media, to acknowledge Vajpayee\u2019s pivotal role in propelling India\u2019s progress into the 21st century across various sectors. \u201cI join the 140 crore people of India in paying homage to the remarkable Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India benefitted greatly from his leadership. He played a pivotal role in boosting our nation\u2019s progress and in taking it to the 21st century in a wide range of sectors,\u201d he tweeted.<\/p>\n

A saga of resilience, innovation, and diplomacy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vajpayee\u2019s journey in Indian politics is a saga of resilience, innovation, and diplomacy. Known for his exceptional oratory skills and his astonishing talent with words, he left an indelible mark on the nation\u2019s political landscape. Born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Vajpayee entered the political arena in 1957, when he was just thirty-three, as a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), a precursor to the BJP.<\/p>\n

In 1980, when the BJP (Bharatiya Janta Party) was formed, he became its founding president. Vajpayee\u2019s leadership paved the way for his tenure as Prime Minister, twice. Despite a brief 13-day term in 1996, Vajpayee\u2019s second stint in 1998 was marked by strategic alliances and the consolidation of the BJP\u2019s hold on government in 1999.<\/p>\n

He was sworn in as prime minister in May 1996 but was in office only for 13 days. Vajpayee took oath on May 15, 1996, and on May 28, he promptly resigned, but not before delivering a stirring speech.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, I have been accused of lusting after power and of doing whatever it takes to be in power\u2026 But, I have been in power before and I have never done anything immoral for power,\u201d he roared. In early 1998 in elections in which the BJP won a record number of seats, he again became prime minister. In 1999 the BJP increased its seats in parliament and consolidated its hold on the government.<\/p>\n

In a historic move, Vajpayee guided India\u2019s declaration as a nuclear weapon state in 1998. He addressed a hurriedly called press conference at his Race Course Road residence. Here, he announced that India had conducted three underground nuclear tests in Pokhran. He also submitted to the House a paper entitled \u201cEvolution of India\u2019s Nuclear Policy\u201d.<\/p>\n

Vajpayee: the favourite on foreign lands<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vajpayee\u2019s eloquence wasn\u2019t limited to the domestic stage. His tenure as India\u2019s External Affairs Minister during 1977-1979 in Moraji Desai\u2019s cabinet saw remarkable strides in improving relations with Pakistan and China. Vajpayee also made his iconic speech, in Hindi, at the 32nd UN General Assembly during this time.<\/p>\n

The former prime minister described himself as a \u201cnewcomer\u201d at the United Nations but added that \u201cIndia is not, having been associated actively with the organisation from its very inception.\u201d His vision of \u201cVasudhaiva Kutumbakum\u201d \u2013 the world as one family \u2013 echoes as a timeless testament to India\u2019s inclusive ethos. \u201cThe vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakum is an old one. We in India have all along believed in the concept of the world as one family.\u201d He ended his speech with, \u201cJai lagat (Hail One World)\u201d.<\/p>\n

Known for his moderation and statesmanship, Vajpayee\u2019s approach to the complex issue of Jammu and Kashmir even disarmed the hardliners among the separatists. His emphasis on \u201cKashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jamuriyat\u201d as a solution remained influential in contemporary discussions.<\/p>\n

The man with many nicknames<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vajpayee\u2019s charm and work earned him several intriguing nicknames. During his college days, his nickname was Atal Guru. Late Union Minister Arun Jaitley called him \u2018Atal ji- The gentle giant\u2019. BJP president Venkaiah Naidu referred to him as \u2018vikas purush\u2019. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh called him Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics.<\/p>\n

Vajpayee\u2019s multifaceted persona extended beyond politics. He once said that he was a poet by instinct and a politician by accident. His affinity for poetry, classical music, and a sharp wit endeared him to many. He was fond of artists like Bhimsen Joshi and Hari Prasad Chaurasia. In Indian politics, he was the man who traversed poetry and politics.<\/p>\n

In 1994, he was named India\u2019s \u2018Best Parliamentarian\u2019. Vajpayee announced his retirement from politics at the end of 2005. In late December 2014 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India\u2019s highest civilian honour. As we honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee on this solemn occasion, his words echo in our collective memory: \u201cI have lived to the full, I will die as I choose, I will return, I have no fear of letting go..\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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