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We are celebrating the centenary year of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister, the late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to Smt. Krishna Devi and Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee. He passed away on August 16, 2018, after completing his earthly journey.
The purposeful life he lived over 94 years continues to inspire the entire nation. The life of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a confluence of many remarkable qualities—he was a brilliant student, a powerful orator, a freedom fighter, a sensitive journalist, a proud advocate of the Hindi language, a fearless and efficient administrator, and a steadfast champion of national integrity and culture. Because of these qualities, he not only ruled the hearts of his admirers but also earned the respect of his opponents. Reflecting on his legacy, Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked, “He was an outstanding statesman. His name is associated with an entire era of Indian politics.”
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s life was dedicated to the unity and integrity of the nation. From the very beginning, he was closely associated with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in the cause of the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. Throughout his life, he remained deeply connected to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s clarion call: “I have entered Kashmir without a permit; spread this message throughout the country.”
Struggling for a just resolution of the Kashmir issue while in opposition, and striving to find a lasting solution after becoming Prime Minister, remained a central mission of his life. His well-known statement, “If Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir, then India is incomplete without Pakistan,” reflected his unwavering devotion to India and his firm commitment to its unity and integrity.
He consistently opposed what he viewed as the weak and short-sighted policies of the then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on Kashmir and the issue of Hindu refugees. From Parliament to the streets, he protested against China’s expansionist policies and firmly believed that China’s occupation of Tibet would endanger India’s northern borders.
His famous statement in Parliament in 1959—“We cannot build the palace of our friendship with China on the corpse of Tibet’s freedom”—clearly reflected this conviction. While supporting the military action in Goa and Daman and Diu in 1961, Atal Ji declared, “This is not a war, but the return of India’s lost breath,” and, “This is not merely the recovery of territory, but the restoration of India’s self-respect.”
During the parliamentary debate on Berubari, he cautioned the government by asserting that “the government does not have the right to give away the nation’s land as a gift; it is the property of the nation, not the personal estate of any individual or government.”
Atal Ji entered the field of journalism through publications such as Rashtradharma, Panchjanya, Veer Arjun, and Swadesh. He firmly believed that “journalism is not merely about publishing news, but about guiding the nation.” He viewed newspapers as both a mirror of society and a guiding light for it. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee strove to realize this ideal through nationalist journalism. His vision continues to remain an inspiring and guiding principle for the world of journalism today.
After becoming Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee added new dimensions to the nation’s development. His governance was marked by sensitivity and responsiveness. His efforts in the areas of economic growth, infrastructure development, national security, education, and poverty alleviation were truly commendable. His government, formed by 24 parties under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stood as an unparalleled example of balance, coordination, and consensus-building. Despite leading a multi-party coalition, he consistently worked to uphold the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister and to preserve the sanctity of constitutional institutions.
The Golden Quadrilateral project, initiated by him to connect the north, south, east, and west of the country, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which linked villages to main roads, became pillars of India’s economic development. He firmly believed that “roads are the arteries of the nation; if they stop, the country’s development will stop.” For him, connectivity was the key to progress. Recognizing the deep link between illiteracy and poverty, his ambitious ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’, aimed at eradicating illiteracy, and the ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’, launched to protect the poorest from starvation—even amid economic constraints—were historic initiatives. Programmes such as the ‘River Linking Project’, envisioned for drought mitigation and optimal water utilization, further reflected his far-sighted vision.
Today’s communication revolution is also a gift of Shri Atal Ji, often described as the democratization of mobile phones. Emphasizing the vital role of scientific innovation in the nation’s progress, he added ‘Jai Vigyan’ to the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.’
The nuclear tests conducted by India at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998, stand as a testament to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s indomitable courage, astute strategy, and far-sighted leadership. The strict secrecy he maintained during the Pokhran tests, his deft handling of the nation through the subsequent economic sanctions, and his refusal to bow to external pressure—while firmly establishing India as a responsible nation on the global stage—all reflected his profound sense of national pride. His resolve to make India a nuclear power, and his sharp response to those who opposed India’s nuclear capability—challenging the nuclear-armed nations of the world by referring to them as the “Panch Mahabhut”—was a demonstration of leadership that only Atal Bihari Vajpayee could exemplify.
While safeguarding India’s national interests and maintaining cordial relations with neighboring countries, initiating engagement with China, and fostering strong ties with major powers—including the United States—he consistently prioritized India’s strategic autonomy. Global awareness of the menace of terrorism was, to a large extent, a result of his sustained diplomatic efforts. Peace with strength formed the cornerstone of his foreign policy. It was this belief that led him to travel to Lahore by bus in pursuit of peace. However, when General Musharraf chose the path of aggression, India’s armed forces, under his leadership, delivered a firm and decisive response in Kargil. He thus stood as both a messenger of peace and a victor in war.
He was a living embodiment of the principle of ‘Nation First.’ Even while serving in the opposition, he consistently stood with the nation, setting aside political differences whenever the country’s interests so demanded. He extended support to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Bangladesh War and, in 1994, at the request of the then Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, led the Indian delegation abroad, securing a significant diplomatic victory for India on the Kashmir issue. His constructive cooperation with Prime Minister Chandrashekhar on economic policies exemplified the role of an ideal democratic opposition leader—setting a standard that remains exemplary for leaders across all political parties today.
Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an ideal leader, deeply imbued with national pride. His historic address in Hindi at the United Nations reflected his profound love for his mother tongue. Respect for great personalities, unwavering adherence to Indian culture, and pride in Indian attire were defining hallmarks of his life.
He consistently emphasized that education at all levels should be imparted in the mother tongue—a principle that is now being realized through the National Education Policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. After the Pokhran nuclear tests and the imposition of sanctions, he wrote to US President Bill Clinton, stating that “India will not bow to any pressure when it comes to its security.” This letter conveyed the voice of a self-respecting and confident India to the United States.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also a renowned poet. His poetry reflected the nation’s unity and independence, its democratic spirit, and his own selfless character. He was equally celebrated for his oratorical brilliance, captivating everyone—from political opponents to the general public—with his eloquence.
He remained steadfastly committed to protecting India’s democratic values. In defence of democracy, he endured imprisonment during the painful period of the Emergency, even while suffering from ill health. Later, he chose to lose his government rather than resort to unethical means—a principled decision that reflected his unwavering faith in democratic ideals.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee dedicated his entire life to the service of his motherland. For him, “India is not merely a piece of land, but a living, breathing nation. Every particle of it is as sacred as Lord Shiva, its rivers are like the Ganga, and it is a land worthy of reverence and adoration. We will live for the nation, and we will die for the nation.”
These sentiments continue to inspire millions even today. On the occasion of his birth centenary, let us all resolve to build a prosperous, powerful, and developed India. This would be the truest tribute to the late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
{The writer is National Joint General Secretary (Organisation), BJP}