Leader for ages, ahead of times

In times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. And, at such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind.

For those of us who knew him, he was, first, the rarest of human beings, who touched and inspired everyone he met. He was compassionate to the core, generous in spirit, warm beyond measure and kind to a fault. He was deeply respectful of others and gifted with a rare sense of humour that he often turned upon himself.

Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarise the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question.

Born into a family of modest means and high ideals, he hailed from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. His youth was defined by academic excellence and quest for public service during the gathering momentum of freedom struggle. Starting as an ordinary “Karyakarta” in the Jana Sangh, he organised the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India—the BJP—and helmed its organisation work after the passing away of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency, the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India.

Firm in his political beliefs, but always accommodating and respectful of other points of view, he set the standards of debate in Parliament.

He sowed the seeds of much of the economic success that we have experienced over the past two decades. For him, growth was a means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalised. It was Atal Ji who prepared the foundations of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century.

Atal Ji irreversibly changed India’s place in the world. He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear weapons power. It was not a decision he took lightly, but one he knew was of paramount importance in the face of mounting challenges to India’s security. No longer would India’s security be vulnerable. At that moment of surge in national pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility. And, the world listened to the wisdom of the man of peace.

Equally important, he then brought to bear his extraordinary understanding of world affairs and formidable diplomatic skills to gain global acceptance of new realities.

He transformed five decades of estrangement with the USA into an enduring strategic partnership in the course of five years. He also steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000.

A person of grassroots, our neighbours were his priority. In many ways, he was the inspiration for, and even pioneer of, our “Neighbourhood First” policy. He went to Lahore in search of peace. With persistence and optimism that was his nature, he continued to search for peace and heal the wounds in Jammu and Kashmir. But, he was resolute in winning the Kargil War. And, when our Parliament was struck, he made the world recognise the true nature and source of cross-border terrorism against India.

Personally, Atal Ji was an ideal, a guru, and role model who inspired me deeply. It was he who entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the national level. It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the Chief Minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organisation, he said he was confident I would fulfil the people’s expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling.

A life is to be judged not just by the extent of grief that follows when its light goes out. It is also to be measured by the lasting impact on the lives of people and the course of time. For that reason, Atal Ji was a true Ratna of Bharat. His spirit will continue to guide us as we build the New India of his dreams.

Lived for the nation

India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji. His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

True statesman will be missed

Extremely sad to hear of the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former PM and a true statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. He will be missed by one and all. Ram Nath Kovind, President

Contribution to democracy stupendous

His contribution to strengthen democracy and good governance has been stupendous. His personality, oratory, devotion to duty and friendliness all combined in his remarkable leadership will be remembered for long.  M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President 

Outstanding MP, great PM 

An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding parliamentarian and a great PM, Shri Vajpayeeji stood among the tallest leaders of modern India.  His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister

He stood for democratic values 

Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life... he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or prime minister of India. But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader