Atal Bihari Vajpayee: 'The Visionary Statesman'

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Whenever I remember Atal ji the word 'Statesman' follows up with his name. I don't think Atal ji needs an introduction of any kind. I can only say he was a man synonymous with statesmanship, good governance, a wordsmith, and a heart of gold. Who can forget he was the first Prime Minister from our nation who delivered his speech in Hindi at the UN.

A great poet, speaker, and one of the greatest Prime Ministers of India. He was a man who was loved by everyone. A visionary statesman, an orator par excellence, and the most rational politician across the political spectrum. His actions always spoke louder than his words. Within weeks of assuming office in 1998, Atal Bihari Vajpayee conducted Shakti series of nuclear tests at Pokhran & declared India as a Nuclear weapon state. Nothing empowered the Indians more since then. A visionary leader who was the first non-Congress PM to serve a full term.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was jailed at age 18 for participating in QUIT INDIA Movement

During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time, India saw a devastating earthquake (2001), two cyclones (1999 & 2000), the worst drought in 30 years (2002-2003), Gulf War II, and an Oil crisis from 2003, the Kargil war of 1999, and a Parliament attack. Yet, our GDP didn't falter during his time.

The term of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was more eventful than any PM in recent time

His bigger achievements were on the economic front. He carried on the spirit of economic reforms introduced by the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1991. When Manmohan Singh took over from Vajpayee in 2004, the economy was in great shape—the GDP rate was above 8 percent, inflation was below 4 percent and foreign exchange reserves were overflowing.

 At a time when caste, religion, and political instability were the key players in Indian politics, Atal Ji's six years in government - from 1998 to 2004 - saw governance and development enter the political agenda. It was he who set the wheels in motion for development and governance to become a primary issue in Indian politics as we see today.

He was a Parliamentarian for forty years, got elected nine times, two times to Lok Sabha, and two times to Rajya Sabha. He was also elected as MP from four different states –Uttar Pradesh, Gujrat, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh.

On 25 December 2014, the office of the President of India announced the Bharat Ratna award, India's highest civilian honour, to Vajpayee. In a special gesture, the President of India conferred Bharat Ratna to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his residence on 27 March 2015.

I can honestly admit today that my interest in Indian Politics grew only after going through the bold steps Atal ji took during his tenure. For me, he was a 'Dignified Classy Leader'. Bharatiya Janata Party was something else in his Era. It saddens me deeply how leaders from the ruling party forgot him and his ideology. Atal ji had a vision for the future of India, but he never bowed his head to corrupt politicians.

As Atal ji turns 93 this year I can only hope and pray for his good health.  We can best honor him by working tirelessly for the nation and taking India to ever greater heights. His birthday is rightly celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' all over the country.



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