"Wo fakeer the...jinhone khwahish na ki unche kilo'n ki,
Wo kya shehnashah huye... jinhone dam bhar mitti ki bisaat par thikaana rakha,
Guzra kiya waqt ki jaanib mulk ko apne,
gumsum magar uss mulk ko alvida keh kar chale...."
-Radhika Sharma
The PM of India after 13 days of his govt. as a powerful orator, poet, a straight forward human and a Giant Son of Mother India in 1996 with his "Signature Pause" said,
"You want to run the country. It's a very good thing. Our congratulations are with you. We will be completely involved in the service of our country. We bow down to the strength of the majority. We assure you that till the time the work that we started with our bare hands in the national interest is not completed, we shall not rest. Respected speaker, I am going to the President to tender my resignation."
Time and era, never forgets the chapter in Indian history, of his being the Prime Minister for 13 days in 1996.
Vajpayee ji was invited to form government. BJP has emerged (161) as largest political party ahead of Congress (140). But while they knew that BJP may not muster the magic figure of 272, BJP still formed the government under their leader. It was a watershed day for BJP and it's supporters as, for the first time a non-Congress background person became the PM of India.
BJP used the “confidence motion” debate as opportunity to send it's message across India. I remember, everyone in Billawar was strucked to the news to listen that debate for almost 2 days, discussing and praying for Vajpayee ji's reign. The leader delivered the ultimate unforgettable speech and headed for resignation, disclosing no greed for power but selfless service for the nation.
His way of being a true patriot, never led him make a family of his own, may be his birth was meant to serve mere as a son, which he explains in his verse.,
भारत जमीन का टुकड़ा नहीं,
जीता जागता राष्ट्रपुरुष है।
हिमालय मस्तक है, कश्मीर किरीट है,
पंजाब और बंगाल दो विशाल कंधे हैं।
पूर्वी और पश्चिमी घाट दो विशाल जंघायें हैं।
कन्याकुमारी इसके चरण हैं, सागर इसके पग पखारता है।
यह चन्दन की भूमि है, अभिनन्दन की भूमि है,
यह तर्पण की भूमि है, यह अर्पण की भूमि है।
इसका कंकर-कंकर शंकर है,
इसका बिन्दु-बिन्दु गंगाजल है।
हम जियेंगे तो इसके लिये
मरेंगे तो इसके लिये।
Shree Krishna in Bhagwat has said,
"he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior" .
One evening, post the day of 72nd independence and the modest persona on the land, who has completed his Saintly Avatar, fulfilled his "karma" and then,
as if packed his bags up and left for his abode forever, leaving behind his immortal soul at the feet of his "birth Mother Bharat".
As if a teen emerging Saint of "Quit India Movement of 1940s" kept his breaths waiting to witness the Aug 15th, and feel the air of his motherland finally, he has built with all his passion.
I wonder ! What a life this mighty person must have lived, that his demise has led even the critics to mourn and the last journey of whom has dragged, the olds, the bed riddens, the oversea leaders even women and children to get his final glance and touch his feet, irrespective of the horde, crowd, distances and the harsh climate.
When asked, they say "Vajpayee ji ke antim darshan kar le'n to lagega Shree Krishna ko dekha hai",
"Vajpayee ji, a rigid pillar of modern India.."
It is for sure,
not every human born, sprouts out so well to discover and focus on that purpose of his birth. One who did, was A.B. VAJPAYEE.
A bundle of infinite qualities, who carried a miraculous compassion in his speech and a heavenly aura around him.
Call him,
A true leader of his people,
A persuasive speaker,
A poet of gifted positivity,
A noblest soul and A courteous human being.
The one who had no Haters. For, he as a politician in true sense was par excellence.
I have kept on following his practices, ever since, i was a child, as that of the "leader of opposition" and later as an exceptionally zeal-full PM of India.
Have been told the stories of his life, by my father which made him the true son of soil, gaining immense love, respect from every individual around the globe.
An unforgettable story of his role in 1954, following which ,we the residents of J&K were relieved of being treated as foreigners in our nation and where there was perceived an unfair treatment to non-state visitors to J&K. When the budding leader of Indian politics was set on a fast-unto-death under the shadow of Shri S.P. Mukherji in J&K. Unfortunately, Mukherji lost his life during the protest in prison and Vajpayee ji lost in 1957 in Mathura for the Lok Sabha.
As if the notion of being a rebel against wrong subsided there inside him, right from being a 16 years old member of Quit India movement until being jailed in 1975 being against the National Emergency declared by GOI.
This was the same man who later brought up the victory in 1977 elections and helped Janata Alliance to form govt in India and was enthroned as the Minister of External Affairs.
It would be unfair to mention that during his tenure,
Vajpayee ji, became the only Indian to deliver a speech in HINDI in the UN GEN ASSEMBLY, introducing our strong dedication towards our culture via our official language to the world, I must say, kudos to your dare Sir.
1984 was an year no major population can forget in India and abroad while the innocent Sikhs suffered brutality in the national capital, as the leader of opposition, unlike the rest, standing rigidly like a wall revealing his honesty in the honor of a minority population of his nation and gaining the love and respect of the countrymen.
Till 1996, BJP was not a universal Ally and was considered untouchable party. But that 13 days government changed it's image for ever. It had a very few friendly parties in 1996 like Samta Party, Shiv Sena, Haryana Vikas party. Credit was towards him along with his party Sena and his Laxman, Advani ji.
Sonia Gandhi was just making her entry into politics. By the time of next General election was called in 1998, BJP was able to muster a pre-poll coalition of more than 17 parties (National Democratic allaince). BJP went to poll asking for on chance for Vajpayee ji.
But like they say, the part of a wise tortoise always wins the race.
Before the polls, a slogan echoed in every drop of the air, "Bari Bari Sabki Bari Abki Bari Atal Bihari”, which meant “Everybody will get their chance turn by turn. Now this is the time for Atal Bihari”.
The clever alliance under the duo of Ram-Laxman (Vajpayee-Advani) and the clean image of BJP payed handsomely when NDA emerged victorious in 1998 election. Even many parties like TDP defected to NDA from United front after election result to give clear majority to NDA . The light hearted Vajpayee and his dedication of making a better India made him stand as the Pradhan Sewak of Indians.
This marvellous come back of him reminds me of his poetry,
"Toote hue sapnon ki kaun sune siski,
antar ki cheer vyatha palakon par thithki
haar nahi maanoonga,
raar nahi thanunga
kaal ke kapaal pe likhta mitata hoon,
geet naya gaata hoon"
From setting up milestone within a month of forming his government, India revealed itself as a nuclear power amidst the world arena in 1998 by successfully conducting underground tests in Pokhran tests. Striving against the international criticism for proving its nuclear capability , Vajpayee ji led put down the international sanctions which were imposed to discourage India from weaponising its nuclear capability. US sanctions against India were eventually lifted after just six months, a development that the Vajpayee administration had anticipated and planned for..
His reply to the critics was, "We have been the victims of three attacks. This fate should not repeat. We are not getting ready to attack anyone. We don't have that intention. I was asked about the connection between Pokhran-II and the Lahore bus service. They are two sides of the same coin — the strength of our defence and the hand of friendship — the hand of friendship through honesty."
His peaceful efforts with the Lahore Summit, during the bilateral talks with the then President Mushrraf.....or starting the bus service from Delhi to Lahore.
Sustaining the Parliament Attack, which was no less than attacking the dignity of the nation. His decision taking ability has been tested time and again.
The due time of National Crisis, when Air India flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi was hijacked and his word of an emotional father to a family, not caring of the consequences, has protected the lives at stake.
Yet, handling the infiltration and Kargil 1999, carrying the honoured weight of the martyrs and melancholy of their families on his wide shoulders at the age of 73, I must say, you had a Huge heart Vajpayee ji.
Who can forget the times of communal riots of Ayodhya-Babri and Godhra, when he was the sole spine of the nation holding each part of it together in a body.
One word on his name,
No matter, your tenure has gone through unique ups and downs, being ridiculed by the critics and multiple tries to pull you down.
Your head strong and calmest, kindest approaches were the result of your formation of a "Golden era of Indian Democracy".
From starting the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan to the Gram Sadak Yojna and Highways Development Scheme, making the GDP rise, developming Indo-China relationships.
You've lost no battle Vajpayee Ji, for you were the calm warrior who has set himself as an Era in himself.
I believe, if a broken willed youngster might have followed your way of living life, would never regret.
For, you are an idol for every, who has always kept his life alone, devoting at the service of his countrymen, as a Son who was a Poet.
I therefore tribute my blog on your name, Vajpayee ji.
May your soul Rest in the seven Heavens.
A thousand bows on your name, for your name is immortal, as immortal is India on the lap of Earth.
Maut se than gayi!
Jujhne ka mera irada na tha, mod par milenge iska vaada na tha,
Raasta rok kar khadi ho gayi, yun laga zindagi se badi ho gayi.
Maut ki umar kya hai? Do pal bhi nahi, Zindagi silsila, aaj kal ki nahi.
Main ji bhar jiya, Main man se maru, lautkar aunga, kooch se kyun daru?
Maut se bekhabar, Zindagi ka safar, sham har surmai, raat bansi ka swar.
Baat aise nahi ki koi gham hi nahi, dard apne-paraye kuch kam bhi nahi.
Pyaar itna parayon se mujhko mila, Na apno se baki hai koi gila.
Har chunauti se do haath maine kiye, Aandhiyon mein jalaye hain bujhte diye.
Aaj jhakjhorta tez toofan hai, Naav bhanwaron ki bahon mai mehmaan hai.
Paar pane ka kaayam magar hausla, dekh tewar toofan ka, tauriyaan tan gayi.
Maut se than gayi!
-- A.B. Vajpayee.
