A Birthday Tribute to Vajpayee - When Vajpayee was my escort.
It suddenly it occurred to me that I could request Atal Behari Vajpayee to recommend a pass to me. He had visited Dharwad, where I was doing my post-graduation, a year earlier, and had addressed a public meeting. Since his famous oratory had preceded his visit, I attended his meeting.He was quite a tall man and heavily built. He had a commanding presence. His speech was laced with poetic cadences - nakal karne ke liye bhi akal chahiye and it was full of similar flourishes. He reminded me of Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, Philosopher-President of India. He had similar rhythm in his addresses and writings. Vajpayee mesmerized the audience who clapped lustily several times during the speech. This is all the connection I had with him.
Vajpayee came out to meet me and I told him my purpose. He expressed his inability to issue a pass for the visitors' gallery since the rules stipulate that pass could be issued for the next day. When I told him that I would be leaving for Bombay, now Mumbai, the next day, he graciously took me round the Central Hall.
After my visit to the Central Hall, I decided to call the local member of my parliament. I also told him about my desire to see the parliamentary proceedings and my return to Bombay the next day. He greeted me as a long lost friend, and even invited me to his house. He immediately arranged a pass for me to the visitors' gallery. Obviously, being a member of the ruling party, has its advantages - a case of some are more equal than the others.
I still recall the poor attendance at the parliamentary session which was discussing the food situation in the country. I do remember Acharya Kripalani passionately speaking on the issue. The thin attendance at the discussion gave me an idea of the concern of our parliamentarians for the poor of the country.
One thing stands out in my memory - the graciousness of Atal Behari Vajpayee to take an unknown Indian through the Central Hall. He brought the same graciousness to the high office of the Prime Minister of India that he occupied - first 13 days, later 13 months, and for 5 years ( 1999-2004).
Vajpayee's courage in testing nuclear weapons and to develop atomic arsenal to protect our national interest is a stupendous decision, a decision which should been taken decades ago. India cannot be defenseless when our not-so-friendly neighbours have this weapon ( one openly and the other clandestinely). India cannot compromise on its security.
Vajpayee has been hailed as ajatashatru ( man without an enemy). His candour and his habit of maintaining friendly relations with his opponents stood in goodstead when he had to run a coalition government of 26 parties for six years. It is a triumph of his democratic temperament and his ability to bring people and parties together with diverse views to serve the cause of the country.
Vajpayee's effort to connect India with a network of roads to promote trade and industry as well as to provide mass employment, and bringing down the tariff on mobile phones which also connect people of the country, are his major achievements. His bus ride to Pakistan did not result in changing the mindset of its rulers - the military - who want to perpetuate their privileged position by feeding the fear of India among the people of Pakistan.
Atal Behari Vajpayee has made India proud with his economic and foreign policies. He safeguarded our national interest. He will be 90 on December 25, 2014. Many have suggested that he be presented with the highest honour of the country, Bharat Ratna, on his birthday. It is a fitting tribute to his great life of purpose and achievement. I join my voice to that of the millions of Indians.
December 12,2014.
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