India

Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Poet And Politician, Dies At 93

Darpan News Desk IANS, 16 Aug, 2018 10:24 AM

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the moderate face of the BJP who attracted allies and formed the first saffron government at the Centre in the 1990s, died here after a long illness.

The 93-year-old leader, who had faded from public life for more than a decade following health complications and was admitted to AIIMS with kidney infection and chest congestion on June 11, breathed his last at 5.05 p.m., said a statement from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi speaks on the demise of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee, says,"India has lost its 'anmol ratna'." pic.twitter.com/yPOMB9spOU
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

"Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support system. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today," the statement said.

Vajpayee was said to be stable for the last nine weeks but his health suffered a setback on Sunday and worsened on Wednesday.

That things were bad was visible from the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made two visits to AIIMS in the last two days and leaders from across the political spectrum made a beeline to the hospital on Thursday.

Modi convened a meeting of the Union Cabinet which condoled the death of the BJP patriarch and declared a seven-day national mourning and a state funeral for him on Friday.

The national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning.

BJP President Amit Shah said Vajpayee's body, which was brought to his Krishna Menon Marg residence, will be taken to the party headquarters at 9 a.m. on Friday and would be cremated at Smriti Sthal on the banks of the Yamuna at 4 p.m.

The funeral procession will start at 1 p.m.

Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi pay tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/JCp5acPcSR
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM Sushma Swaraj pay tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at the his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/bq3bBA0g91
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrives at former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee's residence, where his mortal remains are kept. pic.twitter.com/ngVvygwBMw
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Delhi: The mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee have been brought to his residence. pic.twitter.com/vYHsNsuwfZ
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Asaman ko choo gaya, jo asmaan sa vishal tha, dharti mein simat gaya, jo mitti jaisa narm tha.
Kaun hai jo Atal reh paya zindagi bhar, Atal banke wo zindagi ko paa gaya.
Om Shanti #AtalBihariVajpayee ji 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/56Xi1sqzEf
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 16, 2018

Rich tributes poured in from all sides for Vajpayee who had the reputation of having no enemies in politics.

Modi described the passing away of Vajpayee as "the end of an era" and a big loss for the country. Every Indian and BJP worker would continue to be guided by his vision, he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind said Vajpayee was a "true Indian statesman" whose "leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own".

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Vajpayee was loved and respected by millions. "Today, India lost a great son."

Advani, Vajpayee's long-term associate, observed that the former Prime Minister will be remembered as the pioneer of the first-ever stable non-Congress coalition government at the Centre.

Today, our country lost a visionary leader & I lost one of my childhood idols...The passing of #AtalBihariVajpayeeji is even more saddening in light of all that he inspired & accomplished in his time with us. My deepest respect & condolences to his family... pic.twitter.com/fRSgp7ZvkH
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) August 16, 2018

My assocn with Atalji began whn Vinod Khanna introduced me to him.He ws so easy to talk to & his goodness shone in his eyes. Later, I was told tht he was v fond of movies & had even seen Seeta aur Geeta 25 times! I can proudly say tht I joined BJP bec I was drawn to ths great man pic.twitter.com/Pdnzf0cHJ5
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) August 16, 2018

For me he was one of India’s greatest leaders loved and respected by all. He will be missed. RIP #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/yRnDfCalIT
— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) August 16, 2018

Atal Ji said ‘ सुभाष। परदेस जाओ और अपने देश भारत की कहानी सुनाओ - उसकी कवितायें सुनाओ ‘
I said “ जी। परदेस फ़िल्म वही हैं”
When Atal Ji graced on release our music of #PARDES in delhi and blessed us with his warm emotions.A leader who gave film industry d status of industry pic.twitter.com/So4tl8J77b
— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) August 16, 2018

We have lost our inspiration. We have lost an Atal Ratna. The personality of Atal Ji and the sadness due to his demise can’t be described in words.

He was a wonderful orator, a prolific writer and he dutifully served our country: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 16, 2018

The most respected man Indian democracy has seen has gone to God's .We miss u .You are the biggest superstar I have ever shot..Atalji RIP pic.twitter.com/VLUqeZ1lN6
— priyadarshan (@priyadarshandir) August 16, 2018

Today we lost a great statesman, poet and orator. A man who dreamed of a glorious nation and strived to take us on the path to prosperity. Rest in Peace #AtalBihariVajpayee ji. pic.twitter.com/nOqeCg7FJW
— Rana Daggubati (@RanaDaggubati) August 16, 2018

Tributes poured in from opposition leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi, describing Vajpayee as a great son of India, a statesman and one of the country's tallest leaders.

Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Vajpayee was a man of great wisdom, tolerance and compassion and as long as he was at the helm, he anchored the BJP close to the middle and didn't allow it to swing to the extreme right.

Vajpayee will be remembered for his famous remarks sitting by the side of Modi, then the Gujarat Chief Minister, that the government should follow the "raj dharma" (duty of rulers) in the aftermath of the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Vajpayee was in public life for more than five decades and was elected to the Lok Sabha 10 times and the Rajya Sabha twice. Elected to the second Lok Sabha in 1957 on a Jana Sangh ticket, even as a back bencher Vajpayee had drawn Jawaharlal Nehru's attention with his eloquence.

Earlier, as news of the deterioration of his health spread, national leaders, including Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Amit Shah, Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, cabinet ministers, chief ministers and opposition leaders visited the hospital during the day.

#AtalBihariVajpayee ji - A leader par excellence, a daring PM who made Pokhran possible, a highly principled politician & a poet of inspirational grit who was admired across party lines.

His demise is an irreparable loss, and marks the end of an era. ॐ शांति शांति 🙏
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 16, 2018

One of the Greatest PM this Country has ever seen.A visionary, A poet, A statesman, A man who won over million hearts. Man who deserves nothing but respect.
Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVajpayee is no more with us.His contribution for the motherland will inspire generations to come. pic.twitter.com/XhDk0WrNR5
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 16, 2018

My deepest condolences on the passing of our former Prime Minister Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. One of the few politicians I always respected for his honesty and devotion to the national cause. May his soul rest in peace.
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 16, 2018

One of India's Most Loved Prime Minister, a great poet and a wonderful statesman. We as a nation will miss you sir #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji 🙏🏼 Deepest condolences to admirers and loved ones . pic.twitter.com/BPQRUD8nLG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 16, 2018

End of an era #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee 🙁
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) August 16, 2018

The former Prime Minister, whose birthday on December 25 is celebrated as Good Governance Day, was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 2014 at his home.

Vajpayee, whose more than six-year term was marked by a peace initiative with Pakistan and the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests that invited US sanctions, was a bachelor and leaves behind a foster family.

Though Advani was credited with the rise of the BJP from the late 1980s on the Ayodhya temple issue with his hardline politics, it was Vajpayee's moderate stance that took the party close to power.

He was the Prime Minister for 13 days in mid-1996 at the head of the first BJP government. He was forced to resign ahead of the confidence vote as he failed to muster the numbers.

However, Vajpayee again became the Prime Minister in March 1998 with improved numbers and new allies like the TDP, the AIADMK, the National Conference and the Samta Party.

An iconic leader, a visionary, a former prime minister, a Bharat Ratna. #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji really stood out tall as a statesman in Indian Politics. #RIP sir 🙏🏻
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) August 16, 2018

The Indian Cricket Team and BCCI condoles the sad demise of former India Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atalji dedicated his life in service of the nation.
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 16, 2018

A man of class and dignity. Always put India first. #AtalBihariVajpayee
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 16, 2018

India loses one of its great leaders. “ Gentle Giant” thats a wonderful way to remember him and his work. My deepest condolences . #ripvajpayee
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 16, 2018

But his government fell 13 months later on the floor of the Lok Sabha losing by one vote in the confidence motion after the AIADMK headed by the late J.Jayalalithaa withdrew support to the BJP.

The BJP government headed by Vajpayee returned to power in 1999 and completed almost its full term till 2004 when the party lost in the polls called earlier than scheduled.

Vajpayee was known for his lavish praise of Indira Gandhi as Durga on India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war of Bangladesh independence.

He had a flair for foreign policy issues and the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao chose him to lead an Indian delegation to the UN Human Rights conference to counter Pakistan's campaign for Kashmir.

Deeply shocked at sad demise of former PM of India #AtalBihariVajpayee, one of the most famous sons of India. He'll be remembered for contributing towards good governance & highlighting issues affecting common people of India as well as regional peace& prosperity: Bangladesh PM pic.twitter.com/XqjcdLWBcx
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

I'm deeply saddened by the passing away of #AtalBihariVajpayee. Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life.Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values&demonstrated this commitment in all his acts whether as a parliamentarian,a cabinet minister or PM: Sonia Gandhi pic.twitter.com/AFXZ11GYIy
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Tribute to nation’s most beloved leader #AtalBihariVajpayee jee. My SandArt at
Vagdevi Vilas Institutions, Marathahalli, #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/iP8uB3yhS7
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 16, 2018

The people’s PM. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/HhCCGzacAL
— ScoopWhoop (@ScoopWhoop) August 16, 2018

Vajpayee had a long association with the RSS and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh which merged to form the Janata Party in the post Emergency period when he was jailed along with numerous opposition leaders.

And in 1980, he, Advani, Joshi and other leaders founded the BJP of which he was the first President.

WHEN ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE, SHAH RUKH KHAN AND JAGJIT SINGH CAME TOGETHER FOR A MUSIC VIDEO

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a prolific poet. Along with being an excellent orator, he penned down some philosophical poems. It was in the year 2002 that one of his poems “Kya Khoya Kya Paya” was converted into a song by Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh.

The album was titled “Samvedna” and Jagjit Singh composed the music and also sung the track. The music video featured Shah Rukh Khan and the preface of the video was narrated by Amitabh Bachchan. The music video was directed by Yash Chopra.

Shah Rukh Khan featured as the main lead in this video and he does complete justice to the mood of the video. Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone is somewhat of a legend and here too, the baritone does set a mood for what is to come ahead.

WATCH: ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE’S EPIC 1996 SPEECH IN LOK SABHA AGAINST A NO CONFIDENCE MOTION

After the BJP emerged as the single largest party in 1996, Vajpayee was invited by the then president Shankar Dayal Sharma to form the government. Vajpayee was sworn in as the prime minister but he could not prove the majority in the floor of the house and had to resign after 13 days on the top chair.

His speech in the Lok Sabha till date remains one the most famous speeches by an Indian politician in Parliament. Here’s that fiery speech by the former prime minister