Dr. Fakira Mohan Nahak
Atal Bihari Vajpayee.. the little man in Indian politics after Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, was actually not a politician, rather we can say in true sense he was an Indian statesman.
He was an amalgamation of patriotism, poetic potentiality, politeness, perseverance and positive power. In reality he was the “Rashtra Purush”. Such a unique breed of visionary politician are now a days very rare to find. Imagine his spirit and confidence, just from 2 seats in Loksabha with a new party and coming to power for 3 times not just a small thing. He predicted with confidence that, his party will definitely rule India. As a learned parliamentarian he always emphasised on democratic values, communal harmony and constructive criticism.
He was the harbinger of peace, wanted harmonious peaceful coexistence with the neighbours. This was clearly evident from his historic “Lahore Yatra” by bus. Similarly no one should underestimate us as a nation, to give that message he went for “Pokharan Nuclear Test”. For his statesmanship he was admired by mass and class. People from all political spectrum respect him. He had no critics and no enemy. In real sense he was the “Ajatashatru” of Indian politics.
He was away from politics for quite a long time. His demise is not only the loss for his party but of this nation. People from different walks of life will say a lots of things about him. But I have a different emotional connection with him. I think this is the right time to recall his memories and pay him tribute.
When he became the Prime Minister for the first time, I was so happy that can’t explain in words. Being a university student and an ardent lover of literature I collected all those newspapers which carried his profile and poetry. I still remember the lines of his speech on Independence Day, when he unfurled the Tricolour on Lal Quila as the Prime Minister, “Gaon ki Dhuan dhool se aaya hua school master ka ye beta, jab lal quila par tirangala phehrata hai, to ye sabit hota hai ki, is desh mein ganatantra zinda hai.” That means, from a dusty village when a teacher’s boy comes so long and unfurl the tricolour on Lal Quila, it proves that democracy still lives here in this country.
When he was very active as the Prime Minister I was a trainee journalist in a television channel there at Hyderabad. Till the end of his tenure, I had gained the basic knowledge of newsroom operation. Being a producer produced a series of programmes on him and his government. For any television journalist locking the sound bite of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a tough task.
There was a feeling that if the channel and time could have permitted, then the entire speech would have went on air. Every time his words were so impactful, that editing those were really a horrendous job.
He took sanyas from active politics, but I continued reading his poetry. His mesmerizing words have the power to hypnotize anybody. I feel privileged when got the chance to script a special documentary on him by Door darshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar in 2014.
The great orator, poet and polite politician will be remembered by one and all of this nation. I pay my tribute to this divine soul. My prayers for him. May his soul rest in peace. May his thoughts inspire all the politicians of this country to work for the nation and encourage the mass to think about the country. Atalji you are amar. You are amar Atal.
