Today is a very special day for all of us. Our nation marks the 100th jayanti of our beloved former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people.
Our nation will always be grateful to
Atalji
for being the architect of India’s transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998, we had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years, we had seen four
Lok Sabha
elections. People of India were getting impatient and sceptical about govts being able to deliver. It was Atalji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance.
One can see the long-term impact of Atalji’s leadership in so many sectors. His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of infotech, telecom and communications. This was particularly important for a nation like ours, which is also blessed with a very dynamic Yuva Shakti. NDA govt under Atalji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to common citizens. At the same time, there was foresight in connecting India. Even today, most people recall Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India.
Equally notable were Vajpayee govt’s efforts to enhance local connectivity through initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Similarly, his govt gave a push to metro connectivity by doing extensive work for Delhi Metro, which stands out as a world-class infrastructure project. Vajpayee govt not only boosted economic growth but brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration.
In the social sector, an initiative like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atalji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised. At the same time, his govt presided over many reforms that set the stage for India’s economic surge after several decades of following a philosophy that encouraged cronyism and stagnation.
A wonderful example of his leadership can be seen in the summer of 1998. His govt had just assumed office and on May 11, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. The world was stunned and expressed its anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader would have buckled, but Atalji was made differently.
India stood firm and resolute with the govt calling for another set of tests two days later, on May 13! If the tests of May 11 showed scientific skill, those on May 13 showed true leadership. It was a message to the world that gone were the days when India would buckle under threats or pressure. Despite facing international sanctions, the then NDA govt stood firm, articulating India’s right to safeguard its sovereignty while simultaneously being the strongest proponent of world peace.
Atalji understood Indian democracy and the need to make it stronger. He presided over the creation of NDA, which redefined coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together and made NDA a force for development, national progress and regional ambitions. His parliamentary brilliance was seen throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MPs, but his words were enough to rattle the might of the all-powerful Congress party that time. As PM, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. His was a career spent largely on Opposition benches, but he never carried any trace of bitterness against anyone, even though the Congress stooped to new lows by calling him a traitor!
He was also not one to cling to power through opportunistic means. He preferred to resign in 1996 instead of following the path of horse-trading and dirty politics. In 1999, his govt was defeated by 1 vote. A lot of people told him to challenge the immoral politics happening then but he preferred to go by the rules. Eventually, he came back with another resounding mandate from the people.
When it comes to commitment to protecting our Constitution too, Atalji stands tall. He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Years later, he was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. In the run-up to the 1977 elections, he agreed to merger of his own party (
Jan Sangh
) into the Janata Party. I am sure it would have been a painful decision for him and the others, but safeguarding the Constitution was all that mattered to him.
It is also noteworthy how deeply rooted Atalji was in Indian culture. Upon becoming India’s external affairs minister, he became the first to speak in Hindi at the UN. This showcased his immense pride in India’s heritage and identity, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.
Atalji’s persona was magnetic and his life was enriched by his love for literature and expression. A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and offer solace. His poetry, often reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across age groups.
For so many BJP karyakartas like me, it is our privilege that we were able to learn and interact with a person like Atalji. His contribution to BJP was foundational. To spearhead an alternative narrative to a dominant Congress showed his greatness. Alongside stalwarts like L K Advani and Murli
Manohar Joshi
, he nurtured the party from its formative years, guiding it through challenges, setbacks and triumphs. Whenever the choice came between ideology and power, he always chose the former. He was able to convince the nation that an alternative world view from Congress was possible and such a world view could deliver.
On his 100th jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Let us strive to build an India that embodies his principles of good governance, unity, and progress. Atalji’s unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder.
(The author is PM of India)
