Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Blog
February 2, 2013
Vajpayee popularity more than Indira Gandhi
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (Right), Atal Bihari VajpayeeIndia's voters denied Atal Bihari Vajpayee a second consecutive five-year term as prime minister in 2004,but his popularity has only increased since he left office. In our January 2013 poll, for the first time,
Vajpayee has overtaken Indira Gandhi as the most preferred Indian prime minister of all time.
The outcome is somewhat counter-intuitive. India is passing through a phase of very weak national leadership across the political spectrum. In such a context, the strong and decisive Indira Gandhi would
have been an obvious favourite from the past. But respondents have chosen the genial and conciliatory Vajpayee.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Former Prime Minister Indira GandhiPerhaps a nation in crisis is looking for a man of stature and a man of consensus to taper over the several political faultiness that have paralysed governance. Vajpayee, after all, ran a giant, inclusive 22-party coalition for six years with considerably greater ease than Manmohan Singh or Sonia Gandhi has managed (with fewer allies) in either UPA 1 or UPA 2. For the UPA, coalition politics is only a ruse to justify various acts of misgovernance. Vajpayee's NDA, on the other hand, pushed through several tough reforms which in fact benefited UPA 1 by delivering rapid growth. In an era which is likely to be defined by coalition politics and not single-party rule, a leader needs to carry different voices with him or her, something Indira Gandhi may not have
managed had she not led a single-party government. What also goes in Vajpayee's favour was his ability to rise above the narrow interests of either BJP or RSS. Much like Indira Gandhi, he was larger than the party he belonged to. Importantly, his geniality was never a mask for unprincipled compromise. His leadership style has several lessons for aspirants in both BJP and Congress. BJP 's frontrunner Narendra Modi must learn from Vajpayee the art of inclusive politics and the value of humility in public life. Rahul Gandhi, the frontrunner for Congress, must learn the skills of treating allies as equal partners, not inconvenient subordinates.
Close URL for this article :http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ch...
September 24, 2009
August 9, 2008
Some more...statements/quotes
Famous ones..collection
"In 50 years, this country which has always given message of peace and has never sought anybody's territory has been attacked thrice. A nation of 100 crores cannot depend on charity for its national security."
I want to refer Mr. Deve Gowda to the 1996 JD Manifesto. "We will formally give a pledge of no first use of nuclear capability to Pakistan." I say to him that you have to first develop this capability before you can offer this pledge. There was a general consensus on developing this capability. The question was "when".
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Reporter: What message do you have tonight for Benazir Bhutto?
Vajpayee: Is there any harm if I send the message tomorrow morning?
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Goel(A reporter): What was your most bitter moment in life?
Vajpayee: When I was slapped by a teacher for being naughty (Shararat karne per mar padi).
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Goel(a reporter): What made you come to the highest office in India? Who do you attribute this success to?
Vajpayee: Destiny (Bhagya)
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Goel: Who is your favourite Indian leader?
Vajpayee: Our first Prime Minister Shri Nehruji
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Goel: Why did you not marry?
Vajpayee: I didn't find time to marry
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Goel: What was the most thrilling moment in life?
Vajpayee: When President Shankar Dayal Sharma called me to form the government despite our party being in a minority
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Goel: What is your most favourite place in the world?
Vajpayee: Manali, almora in India and Vancouver in Canada
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Most admirable moment:
Vajpayee: When I gave a speech in Shudh Hindi at 32 UN General Assembly
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On Pakistan's offer of friendship, Vajpayee was asked to comment:
PADOSI KEHTE HAIN KI EK HAATH SE TALLI NAHIN BAJTI, - HUMNE KAHA KI CHUTKI TO BAJ SAKTI HAI
(He was indirectly telling ek chutki se Pakistan ko terrorist camps ko maar dena hai)
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In Parliament,
Ram Vilas Paswan: Bjp bahut ram ki baatein karti hai.. par unmein koi ram nahi hai.. mera naam tho ram hi hai
Vajpayee: "Paswan ji, HARAM mein bhi Raam Hota hai"
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In Parliament on 27 may 1998:
India is now a nuclear weapon state. This is a reality that cannot be denied. It is not a conferment that we seek; nor is it a status for others to grant. It is an endowment to the nation by our scientists and engineers.
It is India's due, the right of one-sixth of human-kind.
We have not violated any international agreement either in 1974 or now, in 1998. The restraint exercised for 24 years, after having demonstrated our capability in 1974, is in itself a unique example. Restraint, however, has to arise from strength. It cannot be based upon indecision or doubt.
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Vajpayee's interview to India Today's Prabhu Chawla:
The world community should appreciate the fact that India, the second-most populous country on earth, waited for five decades before taking this step.
I would, therefore, say that the greatest meaning of the tests is that they have given India shakti, they have given India strength, they have given India self-confidence.
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Q : Will your party exploit this for political mileage?
Vajpayee: Indian democracy's greatest strength is that we have always put the nation above
politics. It happened during Indira Gandhi's time, when India first conducted the nuclear test in 1974. My own party, then the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and other opposition parties were at the time engaged in a major political campaign against Indira Gandhi. But that fact didn't in the least prevent us from supporting the government on the issue of the nuclear test.
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Also, we should not forget that a visionary like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru understood the importance of nuclear science and gave full personal support to the founding of a world-class nuclear establishment. All the prime ministers who followed him have continued to support India's indigenous research and development in the nuclear field. What we are doing today is to build the superstructure on that solid foundation.
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Vote of Confidence in 1999 when Vajpayee lost by one vote because of Jayalalitha:
In my public life in the Opposition never has any allegation been made against me that I have acted against the National Interest. So how can it be that all of sudden I am accused of the same ? Has being in power changed me so drastically ? Does power corrupt to this degree ? If such accusations can be made of me with merely 13 months in power, what of those who have been in power for 40 years ?
13 months are a short period of time, but we have left our foot prints in the sands time in an indelible manner to be preserved for posterity. Their consequences can be debated and criticized but can never be shrouded into irrelevance.
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August 7, 2008
Lata's voice for Geet Naya Gaata Hoon
The beautiful poem is below:
टूटे हुए तारों से फूटे बासंती स्वर
पत्थर की छाती मे उग आया नव अंकुर
झरे सब पीले पात
कोयल की कुहुक रात
प्राची मे अरुणिम की रेख देख पता हूँ
गीत नया गाता हूँ
टूटे हुए सपनों की कौन सुने सिसकी
अन्तर की चीर व्यथा पलको पर ठिठकी
हार नहीं मानूँगा,
रार नई ठानूँगा,
काल के कपाल पे लिखता मिटाता हूँ
गीत नया गाता हूँ
June 18, 2008
Vajpayee's letter to Clinton after 1998 tests
Taken from http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/may/13bomb2.htm
Dear Mr President
You would already be aware of the underground nuclear tests carried out in India. In this letter, I would like to explain the rationale for the tests.
I have been deeply concerned at the deteriorating security environment, specially the nuclear environment, faced by India for some years past. We have an overt nuclear weapon state on our borders, a state which committed armed aggression against India in 1962. Although our relations with that country have improved in the last decade or so, an atmosphere of distrust persists mainly due to the unresolved border problem. To add to the distrust, that country has materially helped another neighbour of ours to become a covert nuclear weapons state. At the hands of this bitter neighbour we have suffered three aggressions in the last 50 years. And for the last ten years we have been the victim of unremitting terrorism and militancy sponsored by it in several parts of our country, specially Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Fortunately, the faith of the people in our democratic system, as also their patriotism, has enabled India to counter the activities of the terrorists and militants aided and abetted from abroad.
The series of tests are limited in number and pose no danger to any country which has no inimical intentions towards India. We value our friendship and co-operation with your country, and you personally. We hope that you will show understanding of our concern for India's security.
I assure you that India will continue to work with your country in a multilateral or bilateral framework to promote the cause of nuclear disarmament. Our commitment to participate in non-discriminatory and verifiable global disarmament measures is amply demonstrated by our adherence to the two conventions on Biological and Chemical Weapons. In particular, we are ready to participate in the negotiations to be held in Geneva in the Conference on Disarmament for the conclusion of a fissile material cut-off treaty.
I enclose for your information the text of the press statement issued after the nuclear tests were carried out today. I close with the expression of my highest consideration for your country and yourself.
Yours sincerely,
A B Vajpayee
June 12, 2008
Vajpayee's defense strategy way back in 1974
Of course, the statement of eggs in the basket was not created by Vajpayee. The fact that he used this to make a sharp point should be noticed. The defense Minister Chavan was talking about Russia and its betrayal to Sadat. Vajpayee clearly told - " I do not want to go into who betrayed whom and why. The Soviet Union will supply arms when it pleases, stops when it pleases. This has made even Egypt to look up for arms with US. We should not depend on any country".
Way back in 1974 a strategy and foresight of this nature is commendable by an Opposition leader (Vajpayee). It is essential to understand that Vajpayee knew that india has to depend upon several countries rather than one for security and weapons.
In fact Narasimha Rao began relations with Israel when he was the PM. The starting of that relationship and its immediate continuation by Vajpayee in 1998 helped the country during Kargil War. If Israel had not supplied arms and ammunition during 1998, we would have lost the war. India at that time under Vajpayee sensed the dire need and quickly approached Israel and not Russia (This was the strategy of Congress till Rao).
Sometimes crises test those people who can come out with flying colors and perhaps God wants to see such colors. Vajpayee's test was Kargil. He passed with flying colors although there were intelligence failures.
Al Gore's speech in USA about Vajpayee amidst diplomats
As a poet, you have inspired the imagination of your people with your eloquence. As Prime Minister, you have challenged your people to act on their imagination, to create a shared vision for a united, democratic, prosperous and peaceful India, and then to make that vision a reality. You are truly a leader in both word and deed.
President John Kennedy once said, in our country, "If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place to live." I cannot translate that into Hindi, but Mr. Prime Minister, you embody President Kennedy's words. You know both poetry and politics, and through your inspired leadership, you are indeed making the world a better place to live.
In your poem Oonchai -- or "height" in English -- you speak of the importance of not losing touch with humanity as one rises in life. Your poem ends with a stirring line, which I would like to quote: "Never let me climb so high that I cannot bend down to embrace another human." You have dedicated your life to this noble ambition.
I am confident that India is destined for great heights. One of the World's great civilizations, India has emerged, of course, as one of it's great democracies. India's history has been turbulent at times. But your nation is on the way to overcoming these challenges by embracing change, uniting all, and setting a course for the future.
Ref:
http://www.indianembassy.org/indusrel/pm_us_2000/gore_pm_september_15_2000.htm
This interesting speech highlights one thing. Vajpayee had changed the mindset of US about India. It was reflected in the speech. Sometimes, any reader might wonder and say - "Nothing unusual about this. US does appreciate and respect and gives warm welcome of this kind if it wants to pursue diplomatic relationships. "
My reply to such a statement is that one could not have imagined that US could do such a complete U-turn in a span of 2 years. It is not possible to convince big powers to speak so much about our country and its people (in a positive manner) just to smoothen relationships. Why should US care anyways about this courtesy? They could have simply conducted a bilateral meeting and announced the change of relationships. They made it a gala event because they became genuinely interested in having diplomatic interest. It cannot be denied that the Indian lobby in US also played a great role. However, Vajpayee had given a midas touch. It worked. In fact, click here. This article says how Clinton immediately lifted sanctions within couple of months of talks with Jaswant Singh. It is a really a miracle for an ordinary citizen, but a small task for two big speakers - Vajpayee and Jaswant Singh.
Some critics may even argue that US wanted someone in Asia to counterweight China and so chose India. This is true but not the major factor that heralded a new wave of positiveness in the 2 largest democracies. Indian lobbies have been pressing for stronger relationships with India since 1995. But, US was not serious until Kargil war happened and Jaswant Singh had around 14 round of talks.
May 18, 2008
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