Sulabh Swachh Bharat - VOL: 2 | ISSUE 36

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Honest Man Forever Sulabh organisation had chosen Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the ‘Honest Man of the Year 1997

08 The Long Political Journey His politics was informed by a sense of India’s millennia-old civilisational values

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From One PM To Another Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s eulogy for his revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee

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Vol - 2 | Issue - 36 | Aug 20 - 26, 2018 | Price ` 5/-

In Memoriam

"I have lived life to the fullest, I will die willingly, I will come back, why should I fear going away, O death, you should not come stealthily, come boldly and test me"

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (25 Dec 1924 - 16 Aug 2018)

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Atal Memories

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honour

Sulabh Honest Man Of The Year Award 1997 Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred the award when he was prime minister in 1998

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, being awarded the Honest Man of the Year Award By Vice-President, Krishna Kant

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he people should have the right to know as to what all is going on at all levels in the government…

Time has come to take steps to check falling standards of values and bring about moral reawakening in the country” A poet, a writer, a leader, an enlightened mind and a compassionate being – many adjectives fit perfect when one starts describing former prime minister of India late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. One such praiseworthy adjective for this stalwart was added to the queue by Sulabh International Social Service Organisation way back in 1998. And that was ‘Honest’.

It was a fine Thursday morning and a blessed day for Sulabh organisation when then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee graciously accepted the ‘Honest Man of the Year 1997’ award conferred upon him by the organisation and presented by then Vice President Krishan Kant on November 26, 1998, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

Standing by his title during the felicitation ceremony, the stalwart said, “The people should have the right to know as to what all is going on at all levels in the government,” and with this he called for a plan to uproot corruption which had pervaded all levels of administration in the country.

The honest Vajpayee always looked for honesty among others. For this he urged

The honest stalwart Vajpayee always looked for honesty among others. For that he urged mass movements against corruption

that no laws can prove effective to curb corruption if there is no mass movement.

“We have to create such a climate in which corruption has no place… There is a danger that our sensibilities may die if steps are not taken immediately to curb it. We need to create sensibilities of the

people so as to create a movement against corruption,” he added.

Vajpayee said that all the government agencies were opposed to his receiving an award from an NGO. They had argued that as prime minister he cannot accept the award.

Hon’ble Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister, inaugurating a Sulabh Public Toilet Complex at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. “Sulabh International can be depended upon for doing good works. It has made commendable efforts to abolish scavenging from the country.”

Vajpayee said that he told them that he had received the award when he was Leader of Opposition; and now that I am prime minister, how can I reject it. He brushed aside objections and came to accept the award. “What really made me reexamine the propriety of accepting the award was the praise showered on me by Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh organisation. Nevertheless, I accept all that has been said about me with pride and it shall always be my endeavour to remain honest, although the award is only for the year 1997,” said Vajpayee.

“When I was looking for the provision of sanitation provisions in Lucknow, my constituency, I contacted Sulabh and there has been no complaint about the work done by this body,” he added.

Accepting the award and the citation, Vajpayee, being the tall personality he truly was, however returned the cheque of Rs 5 lakh which came with the award.

“I return the cash to Sulabh and leave it to them to use the money for the benefit of the society,” he said.

When asked why Atal Bihari Vajpayee was chosen for the title, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, said, “A man of fine sensibilities such as Mr Vajpayee is the most deserving person for the award. On top of that, he is very transparent in his functionings. And so he was chosen for the award in 1997 when he was the leader of the Opposition. His name was selected by a jury of eminent persons.” The Sulabh Honest Man of the Year Award was instituted to uphold moral values and to honour persons of impeccable character, exceptional integrity and sterling sincerity. Started in the silver jubilee year (1995) of the Sulabh Movement, it is awarded annually to an outstanding personality who has shown the highest level of public honesty and commitment in his or her work.

Vajpayee was a man of values, who decried the divisive ideology of sections of politicians. He had a vision for the country and sought its rightful place in the comity of nations, but he remained till the end the Honest Man of India.

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c itat io n

Atal Bihari Vajpayee His sense of judgement affirms itself in his willingness to sacrifice power for the sake of ethics

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Atal, The Unalterable Dr Bindeshwar Pathak dedicated a poem to then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the award ceremony Atal! You are the unalterable!

How can your mission fail?

You are the vibrant morning, And not the dusky evening; Which is exhausted between the eye-lids.

Atal! You are the unalterable!

You are a great son of India; No damage can happen to her Generate some extra heat like Pokharan To burn out crime and corruption.

Atal! You are the unalterable!

Nuclear blast at pokharan Has enhanced our national pride.

Now Indians living away from India Can call themselves Indians with pride.

Atal! You are the unalterable!

Gandhi was a visionary; He accepted the scavengers with love and care.

O, God! You grant them An honest bread and an honorable life.

Atal! You are the unalterable!

We honour you today; Give a clarion call to the nation To free the scavengers From carrying excreta on the head.

Let them live a life of dignity.

We must embrace them with love, We must embrace them with love.

Atal! You are the unalterable!

How can your mission fail ?

You are the vibrant morning, And not the dusky evening; Which is exhausted between the eye-lids.

Atal! You are the unalterable!

he Sulabh family is proud and privileged to be honoured today by the distinguished presence of an outstanding son of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister. In conferring on him the HONEST MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 1997, we acknowledge the very high standards of probity, sincerity, transparency and integrity that he has set in public life.

In the realm of present day statecraft, when noble ideals are often sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, Shri Vajpayee stands tall as one of those great and good men, whose deeds are a faithful reflection of their words and ideologies.

He has brought to the world of politics a refreshing candour and simplicity, derived from his deep and abiding faith in the intrinsic goodness of the Indian ethos.

The heights by great men reached and kept, the poet has said, were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. The life story of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is ample testimony to this: a relentless quest for truth, justice, service to the motherland and ever-higher levels of achievement. His strong nationalism manifested itself in the heady days of our freedom struggle, when he participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942.

As a student of political science and law, he developed a keen and analytical mind, so much in evidence during his illustrious parliamentary career spanning four decades. As a member of the Opposition, as Foreign Minister, and now as Prime Minister he has made a significant contribution to the development of India’s domestic and foreign policies.

Shri Vajpayee’s unquenchable patriotism and love for his motherland are the stuff that spawn legends. He wears his Indianness on his sleeve, and proclaims proudly to the wprld that he is the inheritor of a great and ancient civilisation, sanctified by time and tradition. This is the tradition of saints and sages who have given India

the spiritual sustenance and cultural moorings that anchor its existence.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a modern saint, a magnificent example, in every sense of the word, of the wonder that was, is and shall forever be India.

In his fifth century BC play “Antigone”, the great Greek playwright Sophocles says: “You cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgement, not till he’s shown his colours, ruling the people, making laws”. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has indeed shown his character to be one of totally transparent integrity. His principles are universally acknowledged to be based in justice and fairplay. His sense of judgement affirms itself in his willingness to sacrifice power for the sake of ethics. As for his true colours, the whole world sees them as saffron, white and green, the national colours of this wonderful nation. For he is one of those outstanding Indians for whom the interests of his nation are paramount India knows this and has entrusted its future to his tender care.

Today, the 26th of November 1998, the Sulabh Movement honours the soul of India by conferring on this great and good man, of outstanding character, unimpeachable integrity and the highest moral values, its HONEST MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD for 1997.

New Delhi November 26, 1998

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welco m e S P EECH : dr. B i nde s h wa r pat h ak

Vajpayeeji: Tallest Statesman Of Our Time

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he Vice-President of of a national leader and innovative India, His Excellency Shri administrator. Our heartfelt thanks Krishan Kant, the Prime go out to Your Excellencies and ladies Minister of India, Hon’ble Shri and gentlemen for giving us this Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Home opportunity to welcome you. I am Minister, Hon’ble Shri Lal Krishna grateful to the jury members Justice Advani, Union ministers Shri Yadunath Sharan Singh, former Judge Jethmalani, Shri Sikander Bakht, of the Patna High Court, Justice S. Shri S.S. Badal, Dr. Karan Singh, Shamsul Hasan, former Judge of the Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and Patna High Court and Dr. Zeyauddin High Commissioners, Members of Ahmad, internationally acclaimed Parliament, Members of Assembly, sociologist and former ViceMembers of the award jury, other Chancellor of Magadh University, officials, members and advisors of the who has been associated with this People’s Commission on Abolition function despite their heavy work of Scavenging, Shri Jitendra Singh, schedule. representatives of the print and This is a very special occasion, electronic media, other dignitaries, not only because the Prime Minister ladies and gentlemen! of India has kindly agreed to accept It is my rare privilege to welcome this award but the acceptance you today to this function to honour has only highlighted the national Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime commitment made by none other Minister of India, with the Honest than the Father of the Nation: Man of the Year Award-1997. This the urgent need of liberating and award is a national acceptance of rehabilitating scavengers. There is the high standards set by our Prime a historical imminence about this Minister in public life which have cause because every government become a role model for the new promised to abolish this inhuman generation waiting to take up and cruel practice and each the reins of leadership of has made sincere efforts. the country. That all of Notwithstanding those you have found time efforts, there are still to grace this august more than half a We are all occasion will be million scavengers witness to a remembered who continue to with profound manually clean change with the gratitude by the and carry human poet in the Sulabh family. excreta. This is I am especially a blot on the fair Prime Minister grateful to name of our country waking up Hon’ble Viceand a burden on our President of India national conscience. who graciously By agreeing to accept accepted our request to this award when he was the confer the award on Hon’ble Leader of the Opposition in the Shri Vajpayee. Shri Krishan Kant Lok Sabha had seen the historical has been a stalwart of the Freedom inevitability of this national concern Movement, a staunch Gandhian, and and as the Prime Minister he has only a brilliant advocate of our composite given his imprimatur to abolishing culture. I welcome Shri Lal Krishna scavenging in the country. It will Advani, the Union Home Minister, not be out of place to mention what who kindly agreed to preside over Shri Vajpayeeji said at a meeting of the function. Shri Advani is a man Indians in the USA. When a poet of unimpeachable character and becomes a political leader, Shri combines in himself the qualities Vajpayeeji had said, the quality

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International, delivering the welcome address at the award ceremony in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi

of leadership changes. We are all witness to a change with the poet in the Prime Minister waking up.

Here indeed is one individual who puts human problems above politics.

Prime Minister, Sir, we at the Sulabh family and the scavenger community will always remain grateful for your human touch.

The Sulabh Sanitation Movement was launched in 1970 (as the Sulabh Shauchalaya Sansthan) to complete the unfinished Gandhian agenda: abolish scavenging. In 1968, I was with the scavengers’ liberation cell of the Gandhi Centenary Celebration Committee in Patna when I was exposed to the miseries and social

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Prime Minister Vajpayee with Dr Bindeshwar Pathak and other dignitaries at the award ceremony

degradation of scavengers. Since then, I have been working to realise the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi by trying to build a scavenging-free society, working all over the country with about 35,000 social workers. In over three decades, we have liberated -and rehabilitated more than 50,000 scavengers and settled all of them in other jobs; set up toilets in ten lakh households and 3,000 community toilets which are being used by over one crore people everyday; rendered 240 towns scavenging free with our dedicated workforce in 987 towns, 338 districts and 22 states of the country. Outstanding these figures might be but the solution to the problem seems nowhere near in sight. There are still 125 million dry toilets in the country serviced by half a million scavengers who suffer unimaginable misery and humiliation. This apart, about 700 million people out of around a billion population of the country still defecate in the open. The worst sufferers are women who often risk their security and honour after sunset. This is a basic question of human dignity which every civilized country must address.

After having been involved in the field of sanitation for over three decades, we have found that scavenging has many linkages. Hence, we set up an English- medium school for children of scavengers, training centres for their sons and daughters, and have launched massive social

upgradation programmes where a to examine the problem and suggest large number of distinguished citizens ways to abolish scavenging and have socially adopted scavengers rehabilitate scavengers. Scholars, and given them the respectability sociologists, judges, bureaucrats, they so rightly deserve. We have a journalists and other distinguished special wing which keeps a tab on persons drawn from every State and the career prospects of the children Union Territory are associated with of scavengers’ families and help them the Commission. settle in life. In order to launch a new On the strength of my 30-year sanitation order in the country, we experience, I can assure you, ladies have set up research centres and gentlemen, that about five on waste disposal, a million jobs can be created museum of toilets in the sanitation — incidentally, sector without the first and only any government We are lucky to one of its kind in subsidy and be born in an the world - and assistance. That on-site effluentis only if the age when Shri treatment right policies Atal Bihari projects to ensure are adopted and a cleaner and sanitation is made Vajapyeeji is healthier living part of the project the leader environment. and the setting up of Sulabh technology sustainable sanitation and methodology facilities are made have been declared as a mandatory for projects. model practice at the HabitatAnd, all these jobs will be created II conference at Istanbul in 1996. in the private or NGO sectors. After And, recommended for use in setting up facilities open defecation the developing countries of the should also be banned. But, this is not world. Sulabh has also been given enough; it is also necessary to launch special consultative status with the awareness programmes through Economic and Social Council of the schools and other institutions to United Nations. We have also set sensitize people about the benefits up a People’s Commission on the of good sanitation and safe and Abolition of Scavenging, headed hygienic disposal of waste. As a by no less a person than Mr. M.N. matter of fact, sanitation should be Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice taken out of the government sector of India and the Chairperson of the and made a people’s movement.

National Human Rights Commission, I appeal to opinion-makers,

academics, lawyers, politicians, journalists, doctors, engineers and the youth of the country to take up this social responsibility and build a healthy and clean society. This has to be a national effort. I have only succeeded in taking sanitation on the national agenda. It is for you to carry it forward.

This award was instituted in 1995 to honour those who set a model for others to follow. Mr. T.N. Seshan and Dr. Manmohan Singh were given this award earlier. Very clearly, we need bold persons to lead the country. I remember one case which I would like to mention here. Mr. M.S. Gill, Chief Election Commissioner, had once suggested that two or three months before elections, there should be President’s rule in the States. This was a very good suggestion to ensure free and fair elections. But, all political parties either opposed it or ignored this suggestion. The most important problems today are to control runaway population growth, end corruption and stop criminalization of politics. These problems, so also others, can be addressed only by bold leadership and not by those whose sole objective is to win election and seize power.

The jury members have found in Shri Vajpayeeji the mettle of a great leader, foresight of a statesman and the compassion of a poet. There is a historical analogy also. When Alexander was born, his father King Philip of Macedona wrote to Aristotle: “I am thankful to God that a son is born to me and my wife; but not so much for his birth as for the fact that he is born in an age when you are a teacher. Trained and educated by thee, he will conquer the world.”

We are also lucky to be born in an age when Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji is the leader of the country - a good luck which future generations may envy.

In recognition of his critical role in politics the jury members have given this Award to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, a man of spotless character and one of the tallest statesmen of our time. I again thank you, Prime Minister, for honouring the Sulabh family by accepting this award and lending glory to the cause of the dispossessed and disadvantaged groups of people whose welfare has been the area of your prime concern.

Thank you.

New Delhi November 26, 1998

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Accep ta nc e S P EECH : ata l b i h a ri va j pay e e

‘There Is Need For Moral Reawakening In The Country’ I

am in a ‘dharm sankat’. When I has to be broken. We have to create was given this award, I was in the an atmosphere where a person is Opposition. That is why, I had encouraged to work and to work accepted the award. Today as prime honestly. I have learnt many things in minister, I am hesitating to accept eight months which I had not had an the award. One, prime minister opportunity to learn before. Not all accept the award, the question of of them are bad things. Sometimes appropriateness is raised. What there are situations when you feel award to accept and which to reject. sad. If some official when asked why What is the criterion for accepting he was not working properly, he says and what the reasons for not I am not allowed to work honestly. accepting. Dilemmas arise. When I My colleagues pressurise me. I do saw the names of the jury, I was ready not know how far it is right. The to accept the award. The process atmosphere has deteriorated. There begins. Difficulties arise. When I is reason to take up tough measures. saw the names of the members of There is democracy. Democracy is the jury, it was one of the reasons an ethical system. It is not just a way for accepting the award. Citation of governing. Why does everyone is presented. Here a poem was also have a right? Why is everyone equal? read out. You feel happy hearing the Differences are there. It is because praise. Thankfully, it is just for one resplendent divinity is the same in year. I am accepting the award with everyone. Why do I feel anguish? It humility. My effort has been and it is because of the inner conscience. will be in the future as well that I Sometimes we fear lest sensitivity meet the aspirations and hopes of were to die. Why do people jump into the people in this country. In this the river to save the drowning? It is country, natural wealth is aplenty. because conscience does not permit Nature has been generous. 5000, one to stay back. There are times 6000 years culture is there. If we are when the drowning person is saved, not able to progress according to but the rescuer dies. It is not merely our potential and abilities, the physical. There is ethicality. reason is that people at There is spirituality. How the top that they have much wealth does a man set an unreachable need? I get surprised. expample of the It is not the question common people. of the right way of Democracy is An old saying is earning, and the an ethical that the earth wrong way. That exists on the system. It is not is a different issue. strength of deeds Of course, people just a way of of good people. earn more through governing Evil deeds will illegal means. continue. But the There must be some number is large of limit to profit, to those people who are greed, some restraint. exemplary, who work But there is need for moral hard to earn their living, who reawakening in the country. share with others. Our family system Sulabh International is doing is based on collectivity. Easy earning good work. There was a Rs 1 crore is frowned upon. There is praise for contribution for my constituency. honesty. There is respect for honesty. When we were thingking of how to Times have changed. We have to do spend this money, everyone pointed many things. And we have to find to Sulabh. How to set up volunteers, many ways. Scientific planning has how to get the work done? Sulabh to be taken up, economic life has to International emerges unscathed on be improved. The increasing nexus these criteria. How do contractors between politicians and criminals work? It is better not to go there.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpeyee, delivering his speech at the award ceremony in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi

Transparency is what is needed.

People should have the right to know what is happening. Those who are sitting at the top, they should be clean. I am happy that I have been chosen for one year. I m not accepting the cash. I am returning it

to Sulabh. I am confident that it will be used well. I am grateful for the feelings expressed towards me. I pray for strength and for your blessings that I spend my life in accordance with your expectations.

New Delhi November 26, 1998

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G l i mp s es

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Orator Considered one of the most prolific orators in Indian politics, Vajpayee’s several speeches are inked in public memory

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ormer Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s craft for weaving word was second to none. While he was fluent in English, his speeches were at its best in Hindi. With his well-timed humour, and carefully-chosen words delivered with trademark long pauses, Atal Bihari Vajpayee resonated with the masses the common man, politicians, bureaucrats, students and world leaders.Here are extracts from some of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s most memorable speeches: Historic speech in Hindi in United Nations 1977 As a foreign minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first person to speak in Hindi in the United Nations in 1977. Apart from highlighting the changing conditions of India after a period of emergency, Vajpayee pointed attention towards prevailing world problems.“The challenge in Africa is staring at us. The question is if people in a country has the right to live with independence and dignity or the minority with beliefs in apartheid will keep suppressing the majority?

Undoubtedly, all form of apartheid should be eradicated completely.”

In Lok Sabha after his 13-dayold government fell in 1996 “You want to run the country. It’s a very good thing. Our congratulations are with you. We will be completely involved in the service of our country.

We bow down to the strength of majority. We assure you that till the time the work that we started with our bare hands in national interest is not completed, we shall not rest. Respected speaker, I am going to the President to tender my resignation.”

Lok Sabha speech on the nuclear tests in Pokhran “I am astonished that (Pokhran)

Governments will come and go.

Parties will be made and unmade.

This country should survive

nuclear test was also criticised. It was asked what the danger was? I was in the house when in the leadership of Indira Gandhi (first) nuclear test was done, and we welcomed that even though we were in opposition. What was the danger then? Will we prepare for selfdefence only when danger arise?”

Announcing India’s nuclear weapon tests “Today, at 15:45 hours, India conducted three underground nuclear tests in the Pokhran range. These tests conducted today were with a fission device, a lowyield device and a thermonuclear device.

The measured yields are in line with expected values. Measurements have also confirmed that there was no release of radioactivity into the atmosphere.

These were contained explosions like the experiment conducted in May 1974.

I warmly congratulate the scientists and engineers who have carried out these successful tests.”

His address to the nation on Independence Day in 2002 “My dear countrymen, on this independence anniversary, we have a message - to come together, to work hard together to realize the dreams of our country. Our aim may be as high as the endless sky, but we should have a resolve in our minds to walk ahead, hand-in-hand for victory will be ours.

Come, let us strengthen this resolve by the cry of ‘Jai Hind’. Join me in raising the slogan - Jai Hind. Jai Hind. Jai Hind.

Thank you.”

Speech in parliament on the confidence motion “When I came to the parliament for the first time, Nehruji was the PM. For many years I saw him working. I used to sit in the opposition benches, at the back.

At that time the party strength used to be low. The memories of those days have not faded yet…BJP slowly increasing its strength and the impact became the main opposition party and today has emerged as the largest party after the election. This change is not sudden.”

On Nehru and the role of opposition in a democracy “My friends in Congress may not believe this. In South Block, a picture of Nehru used to be hung on a wall. I used to see it while passing through. An argument with Nehruji was common. I was new, used to sit at the back. Sometimes, just to speak, I had to stage a walkout.

Slowly, I progressed and carved space for myself. When I became the foreign minister, I noticed one day, the picture of Nehruji is no longer there. I asked, where did the picture go? There was no answer. The picture reappeared soon.”

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Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The Long Political Journey His politics was informed by a sense of India’s millennia-old civilisational values Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr

H

e came to Lok Sabha in 1957 at the comparatively young age 32, and he made his mark soon in a House which was dominated by political titans both in the treasury and opposition benches. It is often quoted that after hearing him speak on one of the occasions in the House, Jawaharlal Nehru had commented that Vajpayee had the makings of a prime minister. He had to wait 40 years for Nehru’s words to become reality. He saw quite a few ups and downs in his career.

The first government he formed in May 1996 lasted just 13 days. When he formed the government again, this time at head of a coalition called National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP, in 1998 it had lasted for 13 months. Vajpayee formed the government in 1999 for a third time in 1999 and it lasted its fiveyear term in office. The elections were due in November, 2004, but the elections were called in AprilMay, 2004, six months before they were due. He was the Leader of Opposition from 1996 to 1998.

In 2004, he could have been the leader of opposition but he made way for his decades-long colleague, LK Advani to be the Leader of Opposition.

And whichever side of aisle he sat in the Lok Sabha or in Rajya Sabha, he commanded attention and respect and admiration. He lost the 1952 election, and it was the second time that he won. He was defeated in 1984 from Gwalior in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination. He has seen the highs and lows, the peaks and troughs, in a career spanning six

His grasp of language was so acute that he

could use the subtle turn of phrase laced with humour, wit and irony to say the harshest things decades. Through all these moves in and out of office, Vajpayee maintained a cheerful demeanour, played his role with certain elan. He carried the trappings of office rather lightly on his shoulders.

He won his political spurs through

his oratory, in parliament and outside.

He was fierce but his grasp of language was so acute that he could use the subtle turn of phrase laced with humour, wit and irony to say the harshest things.

Vajpayee rarely sounded harsh. He was poetical, rhetorical but rarely crude. It

was not surprising that he was a lover of poetry and wrote poetry.

It is difficult to recall a political speaker who understood the poetics of language so well and used it to maximum effect.

Vajpayee was in opposition longer than he was in office, but he was respected, trusted and loved by all parties, including those in power. It means that he criticized the government, and he did not ever mince words, but he did it in such a manner that he did not hurt people and he made friends of opponents and rivals. This was possible because he grasped the nuances of language so well and he used his command of language skillfully.

Vajpayee spent his political career on the right-wing political track, except for the Janata Party interlude in 197779 when the Bhartiya Jan Sangh (BJS) merged with many other opposition parties into the Janata Party immediately after the Emergency ended and elections declared in 1977. When the 100 Members of Parliament belonging to the BJS walked out of the Janata Party, they formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in April, 1980 with Vajpayee as the president. He was the president of the party of the BJS as well after the death of Deen Dayal Upadhyay.

There was intra-party power tussle and Balraj Madhok broke away. When the BJP was formed, Vajpayee was elected president and he gave the new party the credo of “Gandhian Socialism”. The BJP/BJS with its Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) roots was opposed to the doctrine of ahimsa or pacifism of Mahatma Gandhi. It was a bold decision on part of Vajpayee to have given this to the newly-formed right-wing party.

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He was a popular and well-loved leader in the political class as well as among the people at large.

But he understood the need to invoke the Father of the Nation’s idea of the welfare of the poor as encapsulated in the term, ‘sarvodaya’. Secondly, the BJP/BJS were fighting Congress under Indira Gandhi, and before that under Jawaharlal Nehru, on the issue of socialism. The right-wing party was not only opposed to communism but it was also opposed to socialism.

But Vajpayee pulled off the political coup of making the party accept both Gandhianism and socialism. It was evident that Vajpayee’s idea of ‘Gandhian socialism’ was the outcome of the impact of Jayaprakash Narayan ( JP) and his movement against the Congress government of Indira Gandhi in 1973.

Vajpayee did not remain where he was in 1957 when he entered Lok Sabha. He gained experience, gained insights from the stalwarts and seniors around him, and he evolved and changed. He did not abandon the rightwing ideology which marked the BJS and then the BJP, but he fine-tuned it so well that it did not seem an outdated version as had happened in the case of communists and socialists.

When he became the minister for external affairs in 1977 in the government of prime minister Morarji Desai, he visited China in 1978 though he had to cut short his visit because of

Chinese invasion of Vietnam. When he became prime minister a second time in 1999, Vajpayee after the nuclear weapon tests of May 1998 made a positive gesture towards Pakistan, which had also gone nuclear, by undertaking a bus ride to Lahore with a contingent of eminent personalities in February 1999. When Pakistani infiltrators came into Kargil in June 1999, he faced the situation with equanimity.

It did not again prevent Vajpayee from inviting Pakistan’s military ruler Pervez Musharraf for talks in June, 2001. The Vajpayee-Musharraf summit in Agra in July, 2001 failed but he took it in his stride. He took the extreme step

ELECTORIAL HISTORY In his political career, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was elected ten times as Member of Parliament from different Lok Sabha constituencies: Balrampur (Lok Sabha constituency) 1957-62: Second Lok Sabha election 1967-71: Fourth Lok Sabha election

New Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency) 1977-80: Sixth Lok Sabha election 1980-84: Seventh Lok Sabha election Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency) 1991-96: Tenth Lok Sabha election 1996-98: Eleventh Lok Sabha election 1998-99: Twelfth Lok Sabha election

Gwalior (Lok Sabha constituency)

1999–2004: Thirteen Lok Sabha election

1971-77: Fifth Lok Sabha election

2004-09: Fourteen Lok Sabha election

of mobilizing the army on the border with Pakistan after the terrorist attack on Pakistan in December, 2001, and the demobilization happened a year later. In 2004, he visited Pakistan to attend the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit in Islamabad in January, 2004. And he reached an agreement with Pakistan president Musharraf which was reflected in the joint statement where Pakistan assured that the territory of Pakistan would not be used for terrorist activities against India, which was a huge concession and it was a

diplomatic victory for India.

A good leader does not get elated when things succeed and does not get dejected when things go wrong.

Vajpayee did exactly that with Pakistan.

He maintained a cool attitude, took the setbacks without too much complained and managed to get out a deal that is good for India.

Vajpayee during the 1998-2004 term in office furthered the economic reforms started in 1991 under PV Narasimha Rao. He paid particular attention to building roads, especially through the Golden Quadrilateral, and gave a fillip to infrastructure, the first such large scale drive in the developmental history of the country since Independence.

He was a popular and well-loved leader in the political class as well as among the people at large. He was able to achieve this because of his affable manner and his vision for the development of India which went beyond mere politics.

In his own way, he had a sense of the civilisational values of India and this is what informed his

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• National Highways and Golden Quadrilateral project • Pradhan Mantri gram sadak yojna • Pokharan 2 tests • Lahore bus yatra, friendship with Pak • Indo-US relationship • Sarva shiksha abhiyaan • Self sufficiency in face of economic sanctions • APJ Abdul Kalam as President • Defending Kashmir in Kargil war

He took the bold decision of conducting the

nuclear weapon tests in May, 1998 which drew the attention and criticism of the world

• Saving lives in IC814 hijacking • Political stability for nation • Built a strong team, secondary leadership • Fastest economic growth (at the time) • A sense of hope for all Indians • Jai jawan, jai kisan, jai vigyaan

Awards

politics and political expression. Not since Nehru has any national leader shown such a grasp of the millenniaold Indian civilization and culture and brought to bear on his politics.

His Illustrious political Career Even though he’s not been politically active for almost a decade, during which the BJP has come to become the

1992: Padma Vibhushan 1993: D. Lit. from Kanpur University 1994: Lokmanya Tilak Award 1994: Outstanding Parliamentarian

Award

1994:

Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant Award

2015: Bharat Ratna 2015: Bangladesh Liberation War

honour (Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sanmanona)

Vajpayee in United Nations

dominant force in Indian politics, the significance of the efforts and political influence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is hard to understate.

First exposure to politics In 1942, Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with his elder brother Prem was arrested for over three weeks for participating in the Quit India Movement against

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SOCIAL AND POLITICAL • National Integration (1961) • Dynamics of an Open Society (1977) • New Dimensions of India’s Foreign Policy (1979) • Heal the Wounds: Vajpayee’s appeal on Assam tragedy to the Parliament (1983) • Kucha Lekha, Kucha Bhashana (1996) • Sekyularavada: Bharatiya Parikalpana (Dr Rajendra Prasada Smaraka Vyakhyanamala) (1996) • Bindu-Bindu Vicara (1997) • Rajaniti ki Rapatili Rahein (1997) • Back to Square One (1998) • Decisive Days (1999) • Shakti Se Shanti (1999)

He was a popular and well-loved leader

in the political class as well as among the people at large

• Vicara-Bindu (Hindi Edition, 2000) • Nayi Chunauti, Naya Avasara (Hindi Edition, 2002) • India’s Perspectives on ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Region (2003) Books • India’s Foreign Policy: New Dimensions (1977)

the British. This was Vajpayee’s first exposure to politics. In 1951, Vajpayee was appointed as a national secretary of the newly formed Bharatiya Jana Sangh for the Northern region based in Delhi. He soon became a follower and aide of party leader Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

Hindi Speech in United Nations!

He uplifted Hindi to the international platform by speaking in Hindi at the United Nations, he became the first person to speak in Hindi at the United Nations.

PM, PM and PM He became the Prime Minister of India for three times- first time on 16 May 1996 for 13 days only, second time on 19 March 1998 for 13 months and third time on 13 October 1999 for a full 5-year term.

Bus Journey to Lahore!

In order to build a strong relation with our neighbouring country Pakistan, he took a bus journey named- Sadae-Sarhad to Lahore on 19 February 1999.

Unique Parliamentarian!

Besides being the most revered and beloved politician in India, he is the only Parliamentarian to be elected from 4 different Indian States- Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

A poet within!

He is considered one of the finest Hindi-poets in India and in an interview, he revealed that he had no interest in politics and would always like to be a poet.

• Assam Problem: Repression no Solution (1981) • Atal Bihari Vaj Mem Tina Dasaka (1992) • Pradhan Mantri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ke Chune Hue Bhashana (2000) • Values, Vision & Verses of Vajpayee: India’s Man of Destiny (2001) • National Integration (1961)

his father was his classmate!

He and his father went to the same Law College (DAV College in Kanpur) together for their Law studies and they even shared the same room in the hostel.

• Dynamics of an Open Society (1977)

Tryst with Journalism Atal was greatly fascinated with journalism and was always eager to become a journalist. His dream to become a journalist came true when he was sent to Uttar Pradesh to work for Deendayal Upadhyaya’s newspapersRashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Veer Arjun & Swadesh.

• Sreshtha Kavita (1997)

What a guess by Nehru!

He is known all over the world for his oration skills and when he delivered his maiden speech in the Indian Parliament, Jawaharlal Nehru (the then Prime Minister of India) predicted that someday he would

• Kucha Lekha, Kucha Bhashana (1996) Poetry • Meri Ikyavana Kavitaein (1995)

• Nayi Disha – An Album with Jagjit Singh (1995) • Kya Khoya Kya Paya: Atal Bihari Vajapeyee, Vyaktitva Aur Kavitaein (Hindi Edition, 1999) • Samvedna – An Album with Jagjit Singh (1995) • Twenty-One Poems (2003)

become the Prime Ministerof India.

First BJP President Firm in his political convictions, Atal Bihari Vajpayee is one of the most beloved politicians in India. He is widely respected as a statesman both within the country and abroad.

Known for his oration skills and charismatic personality, he became the man of masses. Vajpayee united many of his colleagues, particularly his long-time friends, to form the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980. He became the first President

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Contributions Towards Making India Better A

tal Bihari Vajpayee said, “Empowering the individual means empowering the nation. And empowerment is best served through rapid economic growth with rapid social change.” Indeed, these words reflected in his contribution towards the country. He not only improved the economy of India but also introduced social reforms to uplift the unprivileged section of the society.

Here’s a look at eight remarkable steps taken by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his tenure: RAISING INDIA’S GDP He took India to the new heights by introducing economic reforms. Under his tenure from 1998 to 2004, India maintained a GDP rate of eight per cent, the inflation level came down to four per cent and foreign exchange reserves were flourishing. Although India faced catastrophic events during his tenure, including earthquake (2001), two cyclones (1999 and 2000), a horrible drought (2002-2003), oil crises (2003), the Kargil conflict (1999), and a Parliament attack, yet he maintained a stable economy INTRODUCTION TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT Besides raising India’s GDP to eight per cent in his tenure, he further introduced the Fiscal Responsibility Act which aimed to reduce the fiscal deficit and boost public-sector savings.

PRIVATISATION Among the several milestones in his brief period of the ruling, privatisation was also appreciated. Giving rise to private business in India, it reduced the government’s involvement in the industry Further, he formed a separate disinvestment ministry. The most important disinvestments were Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and Hindustan Zinc, Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited and VSNL THE RISE OF THE INDIAN TELECOM INDUSTRY His government introduced a revenue-sharing model under New Telecom Policy which helped telecom firms to get away with fixed license fees. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was separately created to head over the services and policies. To further enhance the telecom sector, he created Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal EDUCATION POLICY It was for the first time in India that elementary education became free for children aged 6-14 years. It was launched in 2001 and brought a drastic change in the number of dropouts by 60 per cent STRENGTHENED GLOBAL TIES Under his reign, India improved its trade and reduced territorial disputes with the People’s Republic of China. In 2000, he invited former US President Bill Clinton, improving the bilateral ties after the Cold War

He invited the then President Pervez Musharraf to India for a two-day Agra summit meeting from July 14-16, 2001, in order to discuss cross-border terrorism and Kashmir. Moreover, Vajpayee gave a green signal to road connectivity between India and Pakistan with the inauguration of historic Delhi-Lahore Bus on February 19, 1999 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH Vajpayee passed the Chandrayan-1 project. On India’s 56th Independence Day, he said, “Our country is now ready to fly high in the field of science. I am pleased to announce that India will send her own spacecraft to the moon by 2008. It is being named Chandrayaan.

He made India a nuclear weapon state. In 1998, India conducted five nuclear tests in one week “We have the capacity for a big bomb now. Ours will never be weapons of aggression,” he said.

INFRASTRUCTURE The most ambitious road projects in India were launched by him, including the Golden Quadrilateral and the Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojna. The Golden Quadrilateral made transportation easy, connecting metropolitan cities -- Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai -- through a network of highways Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojna connected distant villages across the country with a network of all-weather roads.

of the Bharatiya Janata Party and emerged as a strong critic of the Congress.

Making India Nuclear Power Pokhran-II (AKA Operation Shakti-98) was the name assigned to the series of nuclear tests that comprised one fusion bomb and four fission bombs. On May 13, 1998, shortly after the detonation of all five warheads, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a fullfledged nuclear state.

Kargil War It was revealed that Pakistani soldiers had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley and captured control of border hilltops. Indian army units were swiftly rushed into Kashmir and Operation Vijay was launched in June 1999. Over 500 Indian soldiers were killed in the three-month-long Kargil War, however, India was successful in pushing back the Pakistani soldiers.

70% of the territory was recaptured

by India.

Vajpayee sent out a clear warning to Pakistan that if the infiltrators will not withdraw from the Indian territory then he ‘we will get them out, one way or the other’.

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Here are some of his favourites: Favourite clothes: ‘Dhoti Kurta’... occasionally a ‘Pathani’ Suit.

Favourite colour: Blue.

Favourite places: Manali, Almora and Mount Abu. Favourite food: Fish and Chinese Cuisine. ‘Khichdi’, ‘Kheer’ and ‘Malpua’.

Favourite eating joints in Delhi: ‘Paranthewali Gali’, ‘Sagar’ and ‘Chungwa’.

Favourite singers and instrumentalists: Bhimsen Joshi(Vocalist), Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod Maestro) and Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Flautist).

Favourite songs: “Ore Maanjhi” rendered by S.D. Burman...and “Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein” by Mukesh\Lata Mangeshkar.

Favourite singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh and Mohammad Rafi.

Favourite films (Hindi): ‘Devdas’, ‘Bandini’ & ‘Teesri Kasam’.

Favourite film (English): ‘Bridge Over River Kwai’, ‘Born Free’ and ‘Gandhi’.

Favourite poets: Surykanth Tripathi Nirala, Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen, Jagannath Prasad Milind in Hindi and Faiz Ahmad Faiz in Urdu.

Glimpse Of His Journey Through Some Interesting Facts • He dropped out of law school to become a joint editor of the RSS magazine ‘Rashtradharma’. He also became the editor of the weekly paper ‘Panchajanya’ run by the Sangh.

• Vajpayee pursued his law degree from DAV College, Kanpur.

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his father went to law college together- DAV College Kanpur. They even shared the same room in the hostel.

• His ancestral village is in Bateshwar, Agra. His grandfather, Pandit Shyam Lal Vajpayee, had migrated to Morena in Madhya Pradesh from Bateshwar.

• His father, Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, was a poet and a schoolmaster and Atal Bihari Vajpayee also got known for his poetry which was marked by nationalistic fervour and human values.

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the only non-congress PM who has served a full-term as Prime Minister of India.

• Vajpayee’s sister used to throw his Khaki shorts over the wall, across the house as it was not possible for Atal ji to wear them and get out of the house.

• He never married but has an adopted daughter.

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee always wanted to become a journalist but as he told in an interview, “came to politics by mistake”.

• Atal ji’s birthday is celebrated as Good Governance Day. It was because of the way Atal ji handled all the responsibilities while becoming the Prime Minister of India.

• Atal ji has said about his poetry, “My poetry is a declaration of war, not an exordium to defeat. It is not the defeated soldier’s drumbeat of despair, but the fighting warrior’s will to win. It is not the dispirited voice of dejection but the stirring shout of victory.”

• Vajpayee credits the literary work ‘Kirti Vijay Pataka’ by Mahatma Ramchandra Veer with changing his life and having a great impact on his ideology.

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F rom O ne PM To A not her

Narendra Modi's Eulogy For Atal Bihari Vajpayee “A Leader For The Ages – Ahead Of His Times”

I

n 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, in 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 summarize 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 organized the only truly national-level party to be formed in independent India – the BJP – and helmed its organization work after the passing away of Shri Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Through the four decades of leadership in Parliament, the struggle against Emergency (who can forget that memorable rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan when his speech became the roar of the nation), the clarity to represent his party with passion but always speak for the nation, he defined the spirit of democracy in India. Firm

means to empower the weakest and mainstream the marginalized. It’s that vision that continues to drive our government’s policy.

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. The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his Government ensured prosperity for several Indians.

His thrust on next-generation infrastructure particularly roads and telecom contributed to our country’s economic as well as social empowerment.

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 in his political beliefs, but always responsibility. And, the world listened accommodating and respectful to the wisdom of the man of peace. of other points of view, he set the Equally important, he then brought to standards of debate in Parliament. In bear his extraordinary understanding his simplicity and integrity, in of world affairs and formidable his dignity and empathy, diplomatic skills to gain and a sense of personal global acceptance of non-attachment new realities. Indeed, to the office, it is the combination Atal Bihari he became an of his legacies of Vajpayee inspiration for a creating strategic nation of youth. capabilities, irreversibly He rescued promoting changed India’s the economy stronger from the morass economic growth, place in the of the mid-1990s, undertaking world when political multi-directional instability at home diplomacy and and an uncertain harnessing of diaspora global environment energies that is today the had threatened to derail a still basis for the respect we command incipient economic reforms process. across the world.

He sowed the seeds of much of He transformed five decades of the economic success that we have estrangement with USA into an experienced over the past two enduring strategic partnership in decades. For him, growth was a the course of five years. He also

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L K A dva n i fo r va j pay e e

'Closest Friend, Senior Colleague...'

Despite Being Lost For Words, LK Advani Finds Some Of The Best To Describe Atal Bihari Vajpayee steered India to deep friendship with a new post-Soviet Russia through a strategic partnership in 2000. I had the privilege of accompanying him on a visit to Russia in November 2001 when we concluded a sister province agreement between Gujarat and Astrakhan. With China, he made the boldest move for peace in an effort to overcome the burdens of a difficult past by establishing the mechanism of Special Representatives for boundary talks. Atal Ji’s conviction that these two ancient civilisations - which are rising powers - can work together to shape the global future continues to guide my thinking.

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 was unwavering in his support as an opposition leader towards Bangladesh’s liberation. 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 recognize 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 organization, he said he was confident I would fulfill the people’s expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling.

Today, we are a self-assured nation, brimming with the energy of our youth and resolve of our people,

eager for change and confident of achieving it, striving for clean and responsive governance, building future of inclusion and opportunity for all Indians. We engage the world as equals and in peace, and we speak for principles and support the aspirations of others. We are on the path that Atal Ji wanted us to take. He was ahead of the times, because he had a deep sense of history, and he could peer into the soul of India from his grasp of our civilizational ethos.

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.

“If an entrepreneur is interested to invest in the state on a road (infrastructure) project, the earning the state authorities are likely to reap through this toll tax system, will help them pay back the entire amount invested in the project,” one of the financial experts said while explaining the benefit of HAM. It was in 2016 that the union road and surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled this model to mobilise funds to build roads across the country. It has yielded a very positive result as so far, more than Rs 28,000 crore has been raised through private investment towards building of thirty national highways in India.

In Uttar Pradesh, the state government has managed in its kitty more than a few thousand crore through this HAM for building the Purbanchal Expressway. Taking a cue from this, the West Bengal government too is going all out to utilise HAM as much as possible for giving a fillip to infrastructure projects across the state.

A

dvani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee shared a great camaraderie and were widely considered to be two sides of the same coin. The duo rose to prominence hand-in-hand and remained each other’s political partner and colleagues ever since.

Yet, in his heartfelt letter, LK Advani calls Vajpayee his senior and admits to being lost for words upon hearing the news of the former PM’s passing.

“I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India’s tallest statesmen, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atal Ji was more than a senior colleaguein fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years.”

“I cherish the memories of my long association with him, right from our days as Pracharaks of the RSS, to the inception of Bharatiya Jana Singh, the struggle of the dark months during the Emergency leading to the formation of Janata

Party and later the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980.

Atal Ji will be remembered as the pioneer of the first ever stable non-Congress coalition government at the Centre and I had the privilege of working as his deputy for six years.

As my senior, he always encouraged and guided me in every possible manner.”

LK Advani goes on to shower praise on his friend’s leadership qualities, and points out something “remarkable” – Vajpayee’s ability to win over those with whom he had ideological differences.

His captivating leadership qualities, mesmerising oratory, soaring patriotism and above all, his sterling humane qualities like compassion, humility and his remarkable ability to win over adversories despite ideological differences have all had a profound effect on me in all my years in public life. Advani concludes, I will miss Atal Ji immensely…

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I dream of an India that is prosperous, strong and caring. An India, that regains a place of honour in the comity of great nations Atal Bihari Vajpayee

VIEWPOINT

Narendra MODI

Prime Minister of India

‘Country Is Moving Ahead With New Energy And Enthusiasm’ From a time of “policy paralysis”, India had moved to “Reform, Perform, Transform”

Turning to the sun for energy Coal reserves are limited and may not last beyond a century and even less

F

or a long time now it has been evident that once the fossil fuels are used by the increasing energy demands of a global industrial economy.

Coal reserves are limited and they many not beyond a century and may last even less. It is also estimated that the fossil fuels, from where petroleum products are derived are of limited quantity as well. But there was also the issue that both fossil fuels increase carbon emissions, which contributes to global warming and to the disastrous impact of climate change. That is why there has been a hunt for alternate sources of energy. For quite some time during the second half of the last century, experts and industry leaders felt that nuclear power was a good alternative because it did not leave behind a huge carbon footprint. But most people were not convinced about the safety of nuclear power plants. The accidents at the Three-Mile Ilsand nuclear power plant in the United States and at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union showed the disastrous effects. It is now felt that solar power was the most sensible source of energy because the sun is the natural provider of light and benign energy to Earth.

The technology for tapping solar energy through panels of photovoltaic cells have been improved and there has been an impressive amount of electricity generated through this source.

Editor-in-Chief

Kumar Dilip Edited, Printed and Published by: Monika Jain on behalf of Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation, owned by Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation Printed at: The Indian Express Limited A - 8, Sector -7, NOIDA (UP) Published at: RZ - 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam - Dabri Road, New Delhi - 110045 (India) Corporate Office: 819, Wave Silver Tower, Sector - 18, NOIDA (UP) Phone: +91-120-2970819 Email: editor@sulabhswachhbharat.com, ssbweekly@gmail.com

M

y dear countrymen, I convey my best wishes to all of you on this auspicious occasion of Independence Day. Today, the country is brimming with selfconfidence. The country is scaling new heights by working extremely hard, with a resolve to realize its dreams. Today’s dawn has brought a new spirit, a new enthusiasm, a new zeal and a new energy with it.

In our country, there is a Neelakurinji flower which blooms once every 12 years. This year, Neelakurinji is in full bloom on the hills of Southern Nilgiri like the Ashok Chakra (the wheel of Ashoka) in the Tricolour on our Independence Day. We are celebrating this festival of independence at a time when our daughters from the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, have come back after circumnavigating the seven seas. They have returned after unfurling the Tricolour in the seven seas, colouring their waters with the hues of our Tricolor.

We are celebrating this festival of independence at a time when the Mount Everest has been conquered many times; several brave-hearts and many of our daughters have unfurled the Tricolour atop the Mount Everest. However, during this festival of independence, I will remember our young tribal children from remote forest areas, who have unfurled the Tricolour on the Mount Everest, further enhancing its glory.

The sessions of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have concluded recently, and you would have seen that the proceedings were conducted in a very orderly manner, and in a way, they were entirely dedicated to the cause of social justice. Displaying utmost sensitivity and alertness, our Parliament has

made the social justice framework stronger to protect the interests of the weaker sections of society – be it a Dalit, a deprived or exploited person or women.

The demand to confer constitutional status on the OBC Commission had existed for years. This time, our Parliament has accorded Constitutional status to this Commission, and in doing so, has made an efforts to protect the interests of the Backward and the Most Backward classes.

Today, we are celebrating the festival of independence at a time when news reports have brought in a new consciousness in the country. Today, every Indian, living in any nook and corner of the world, takes pride in the fact that India has become the sixth largest economy of the world. We are celebrating this Independence Day in a positive atmosphere amidst such positive chain of events.

Under the leadership of respected Bapu, lakhs of people sacrificed their lives and spent their youth in prisons to win freedom for our country. Many great revolutionaries embraced the gallows bravely. Today on behalf of my countrymen, I pay homage to those brave freedom fighters and salute them from the bottom of my heart. Our soldiers and Paramilitary forces lay down their lives to uphold the dignity of the tricolour that inspires us to hold our heads high through

Our freedom has come at a price. Under the leadership of Bapu and the revolutionaries, many heroes, many satyagrahis, brave men and women and youth participated in the freedom struggle of the country

Aug 20 - 26, 2018 life and death. Our Police forces serve the country day and night to provide safety and security to the people.

From the ramparts of the Red Fort with the Tricolour as witness, I salute all the soldiers of the army, the paramilitary forces and the police for their dedicated service, valour and hard work. My best wishes are always with them.

These days, we are receiving the news of good rainfall as well as floods from different parts of the country. I want to reassure the people who have lost their loved ones and are in distress, that the country is with them in their hour of crisis to help them overcome this difficult situation. I share the grief of those who have lost their near and dear ones in this natural calamity.

The next year will mark 100 years of the Jallianwallah Bagh massacre. Our masses had sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom at a time when atrocities had crossed all limits. The Jallianwallah Bagh incident reminds us of the sacrifices made by the brave hearts and is an inspiration to us. I salute all the brave people from the depths of my heart.

Our freedom has come at a price.

Under the leadership of Bapu and the revolutionaries, many heroes, many satyagrahis, brave men and women and youth participated in the freedom struggle of the country. While striving for the country’s freedom, they suffered imprisonment and spent the prime of their youth in jails, yet they nurtured the dreams of a glorious India even through all the suffering.

Many years ago, the national poet from Tamil Nadu, Subramaniam Bharti translated his vision of the country into words.

– ( “Ellarum amarnillai aaedumnaan muraiai India ulagirakku allikkum”).

What was the dream that he envisioned after Independence?

Subramania Bharti said that India will show the way for the entire world to break free from every form of bondage.

After Independence, in order to realize the dreams of such great personalities, to meet the aspirations of freedom fighters and to fulfil the hopes and expectations of the citizens of the country, India drafted an inclusive Constitution under the leadership of respected Baba Saheb Ambedkar ji. This inclusive Constitution is the harbinger of a resolve to build a New India. It has brought with it some responsibilities for us and has also set a few boundaries on us. Our Constitution has been guiding us in realizing our dreams by stating that every section of the society and every geographical part of India must get an equal opportunity in the quest to forge ahead.

We are celebrating this Independence Day in a positive atmosphere amidst such positive chain of events I have shared my vision for TEAM INDIA earlier too. When 125 crore countrymen become partners, then each and every citizen joins us in the progress of the country. When 125 crore dreams, 125 crore resolves, 125 crore efforts, move in the right direction to attain desired goals then nothing is unattainable.

If we talk about providing electricity to villages on the basis of work done in 2013, it would have taken a couple of more decades to accomplish this work.

If we talk about providing smoke-free LPG gas connection to the poor and to the poor mothers, at the rate in which it was done in 2013, it could not have been completed even in a 100 years. If we had maintained the speed of 2013 in laying optical fibre network in villages, then we would not have been able to accomplish the task for generations together. We will strive to maintain the same pace of development.

Today, we can see a sea change in the country although the country is same, the soil is same, the wind is same, the sky is same, the sea is same, the government offices are same, the files are same and the decision-making process remains the same. However, the country has been experiencing change for the last four years. A new spirit, new energy, new resolve, new determination and new inspiration is taking the country forward. This is why the country has doubled the pace of construction of the highways.

The construction of new houses has gone up four times in the villages.

The food production in the country today has reached an all-time high; there has been a record production of mobile phones; the sale of tractors has touched a new high. On the one hand, a record number of tractors are being bought by our farmers today, at the same time, the country has witnessed a record number of aeroplane purchases since independence. Toilets are being built in schools; new IIMs, new IITs and new AIIMS are being established.

Giving momentum to Skill Development Missions, the country is setting up new centers in small towns.

At the same time, our tier-2 and tier-3 cities are being flooded with start-up enterprises, bringing regeneration.

Digital India is now making inroads into our villages. As a government sensitive to the needs of people, efforts are being made to turn Digital India into a reality. At the same time, work is also progressing with the same dedication to compile dictionary and

common signs for my differentlyabled brothers and sisters. While on the one hand, our farmers are working on modern agricultural techniques like micro irrigation, drip irrigation and sprinklers, on the other hand, 99 big closed irrigation projects have also been revived. Our soldiers reach out to provide relief and rescue operations during natural calamities. While our soldiers display exemplary courage in reaching out to rescue the people in difficulties, they have also shown a steely resolve to carry out surgical strikes and vanquish our enemies.

Take a glance at the vast canvass of the development in our country- from one end to the other, one can witness the progress of the country that is moving ahead with new energy and enthusiasm.

Scientists of our nation have also left no stone unturned in bringing immense glory to our country. In the global context, as well as fulfilling the requirements of the country, it is a matter of great pride that our scientists launched more than 100 satellites in one go leaving the world astonished. That’s the capability of Indian scientists which has made the world stand up and applaud. I would like to congratulate our scientists and technicians for such a great accomplishment.

We have a vision to double the farmers’ income by the 75th year of Independence. Some people have doubts, which is quite natural, but we are determined. Hum makkhan par lakeer nahi, patthar par lakeer kheenchne waale hain (We don’t promise things lightly, we mean to keep our word). To keep our promises, we have to work hard, we have to plan and we have to put our heart and soul into fulfilling it. Some new crops are giving record yields. For the first time we are moving towards agriculture export policy so that our farmers can also face global competition with confidence.

Today we can see a new agricultural revolution. Organic farming, Blue revolution, sweet revolution and solar farming have opened up new vistas.

Khadi is associated with the name of respected Bapu. I want to humbly submit that the sale of khadi products since independence has doubled. This has generated employment for the poor.

My brothers and sisters, the farmers of my country are emphasizing on solar farming now. Apart from farming, they can earn money by selling power generated through solar farming. The

OpEd

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people who spin charkha, the people who are associated with handloom are also earning their livelihood.

When I talked about cleanliness from the Ramparts of Red Fort in 2014, some people made fun. Some of them even said the Government had many things to do, why is it wasting its energy on an issue like cleanliness.

But my dear brothers and sisters, in a recent report the WHO has said that because of the cleanliness campaign three lakh children were saved. The credit for saving lives of three lakh children goes to every Indian who was a part of this campaign. Saving the lives of three lakh children of the poor is surely a great humanitarian act and the world bodies are recognizing it.

My Brothers and Sisters, it is true that because of cleanliness, lives of three lakh children have been saved. But no matter how happy a middle class family is and how well-to-do it is or how poor it is, once a family member falls sick, the whole family suffers. On occasions generations are afflicted with illnesses.

The Government of India has decided to launch Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan so that the poor man, the common man gets free treatment for serious diseases and he can be admitted to big hospitals free of cost.

On the 25th of September, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, the Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan will be launched throughout the country. No poor person of the country will have to face difficulty in dealing with diseases.

Nor he would have to borrow money from a moneylender paying interest.

His family will not be destroyed.

And it will also open new avenues of employment for the youth, for the middle class families in the health sector. New hospitals will be built in the tier-2 and tier-3 cities. They will require medical staff in large numbers.

A lot of employment opportunities will also be generated.

My dear countrymen, we want to move ahead. We cannot accept stagnation, we cannot be standstill and it is not in our nature to bend before anybody. This country will neither come to a standstill, neither will it bend and nor will it get tired.

We have to achieve greater heights, we have to keep moving ahead.

We are the inheritors of the rich heritage of our ancient legacy of Vedas. And that legacy is due to our self-confidence, and we want to carry forward the legacy. And that is why my dear countrymen, I want to instill a new hope, a new zeal and a new belief (in you) because the country can achieve its dreams with it. And that is why my dear countrymen…

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Photo Feature

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

In Remembrance A man who gave real power to our nation. A mind which made fearless decisions.

A character which showcases the meaning of a patriot

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

Photo Feature

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Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

e xcer pts fro m h i s poe ms

The Poet Politician

For years, he has given us motivation, courage, and wisdom through his words (Translated Version)

A writer and a poet before joining politics, Vajpayee’s dexterity with words was what brought him into the Lok Sabha

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tal Bihari Vajpayee was a statesman and one of India’s tallest leaders. However, Vajpayee was not just a political leader, he was an all-rounder and had a multi-faceted personality. Vajpayee’s poems are proof that he was a great weaver of words too.

He lived a complete and full life in terms of struggle, endeavours, victories, pain, joys, sorrows, losses and gains. In his Hindi poem ‘Maut se thunn gayee’, the gifted poet that he was, Atal Bihari Vajpayee foresees and depicts the last battle every one ultimately faces, the battle with death. Here is the poem, loosely translated from the original Hindi, as tweeted by Penguin India.

A Battle With Death A battle with death!

What a battle it will be!

I had no plans to take her on, We had not agreed to meet at that curve, Yet there she stood, blocking my path Looming larger than life.

How long does death last? A moment, perhaps two -Life is a sequence, beyond today and tomorrow.

I have lived to the full, I will die as I choose, I will return, I have no fear of letting go.

So, do not come by stealth, and take me by surprise, Come, test me, meet me head on.

Unheeding of death, life’s journey

unfolds.

Evenings sketched with kohl, nights smooth as the flute’s notes.

I do not say there was no pain, There were sorrows, of my own and of this world. ****** It’s dark in the middle of the day The sun is defeated by its shadow Squeeze the oil from your soul and light the wick, Come let’s light a lamp again! ****** My Lord, Never let me climb so high That I am unable to embrace another stranger, Deliver me ever from such arrogance! ****** In a deal not so profitable, All I received were a couple of days Should I count each moment; Or just spend it every way?

Which path should I follow? ****** Why shouldn’t I live every moment to the fullest?

Why shouldn’t I admire the beauty in every fragment? ************ The cycle of being and not being Will continue till eternity, So will our illusion That we are, we will be.

Everything is at stake, there’s no option to stop now We can break at this point, but we cannot bend now! ****** What is the age of death? Not even a couple of moments Life is a progression, it’s not a matter of a day or two! ****** Let the adversities strike, Let there be catastrophes dire Let there be embers under our soles, Let it shower flare, With that fire in our hands, Smiling, we have to burn We have to move forward, together! ****** I am able to see myself From the eyes of others, I am neither silent, nor am I singing! ****** A major theme that emerged in Vajpayee’s later poetry was the frivolity of consequence, existentialism and most of all, loneliness. It is clear, he always found something amiss, but whether he chased to find it, is anyone’s guess. He writes in ‘Rote Rote Raat Ho Gayi’: Jhuki na alken jhapi na palken Sudhiyon ki barat kho gayi Rote rote raat so gayi Dard purana Meet na jana Bato hi mein praat ho gayi Rote rote raat so gayi

Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

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A l l- w eat her connect i vi t y

Vajpayee Cemented Rohtang 'Tunnel Of Friendship': Residents He wanted his favourite holiday resort to remain accessible Vishal Gulati

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frequent visitor to this picturesque resort before illness gripped him, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is believed here to be the only national leader who thought of ending the five months of exile every year of the residents of the landlocked Lahaul Valley by constructing a tunnel through the Rohtang Pass.

Locals believe Vajpayee was the man behind cementing the “tunnel of friendship” being drilled at 3,000 metres above sea level beneath the Rohtang Pass.

In all probability, the tunnel will be operational by May-June 2020, engineers said.

“The construction of the tunnel is about the promise that Vajpayeeji made to Tashi Dawa before his old friend died in December 2007,” Dawa’s son Ramdev told IANS on the phone.

The strategically important tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Lahaul-Spiti district that otherwise remains cut off from the rest of the country for more than five months owing to the closure of the Rohtang Pass (13,050 feet) due to heavy snowfall.

Dawa alias Arjun Ram Gopal, a resident of Tholang in LahaulSpiti, was credited with convincing Vajpayee to take up the tunnel construction that will bring economic prosperity in the otherwise snowbound, inhospitable region.

“It would be a historic day for all the people of the Lahaul Valley when the tunnel is completed,” an emotional Ramdev, a government employee, who is retiring this year, said.

Ramdev said Vajpayee and Dawa became friends during a training camp organised by the Rashtriya

Neighbours fondly recall the days when

Vajpayee as Prime Minister came here very summer and mingled with the locals Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Baroda (now Vadodara) in the then Bombay Presidency in 1942.

Septuagenarian Mehar Thakur, who is now settled here, said: They (Vajpayee and Dawa) were thick friends. Whenever Vajpayee used to visit Prini he used to call Dawa.

They used to share their nostalgic moments for hours.”

Prini is located on the outskirts of this tourist resort. Vajpayee last visited the house, currently out of bounds for people, for a quiet sojourn in June 2006. That was two years after his government was voted out in the national elections. Since then the house wears a deserted look. Neighbours fondly recall the days when Vajpayee as Prime Minister came here every summer and mingled with the locals.

Vajpayee, as Prime Minister, had announced at a public meeting in Keylong, the district headquarters

of Lahaul-Spiti, in 2002 that a tunnel would be constructed beneath the Rohtang Pass. Solang, popular among skiers for snow and steep pistes, or ski tracks, just 13 km uphill from Manali, still has a foundation stone of the Rohtang tunnel.

The stone reads: “Commissioning of works for access road to south portal of proposed Rohtang Tunnel

by Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.”

“Development and defence, for both aspects this Rohtang tunnel was much required and today it is going to be started,” Vajpayee had announced at a public meeting in Manali on May 24, 2002, where then Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was also present.

Remembering one of his visits to Vajpayee’s house, former village head Kundan Lal said he was once honoured by the former Prime Minister with a cash incentive.

“I presented a wall clock to Vajpayeeji which was made by me from junked motorcycles. He was so delighted to receive it that and he gave me a cash reward of Rs 1,000 to support my initiative,” Lal, who was earlier running a motor workshop in Prini, told IANS. Locals also remember Vajpayee as an environment protector.

Prini village head Shiv Dayal said Vajpayee used to say plant twothree saplings rather than planting 100s as it was easy nourish them adequately.

Dayal said the Rohtang tunnel should be named after Vajpayee and this would be a befitting tribute to the great leader.

Mrs India 2017 winner Kalpana Thakur, who runs a hotel in Prini, fondly remembered one of her interactions with Vajpayee in 2003.

“Vajpayee-ji asked me the name of my son and he explained me my son’s name (Srijan) in his poetic style,” she recalled.

Besides as an orator, poet and statesman, locals remember Vajpayee’s love for trout fish on a platter during his stay in Prini.

During his 2001 visit, Vajpayee told reporters that he composed his poem “Unchai” at Prini.

The most ambitious and expensive undertaking of its kind, the excavation of the 8.8-km long horseshoe-shaped tunnel under the Rohtang Pass in the Himalayas was completed last October. Only some civil engineering work is pending, officials said.

Later, the tunnel’s foundation stone was laid by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on June 28, 2010, in the Solang Valley.

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Atal Memories

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off-beat

He Won Hearts Too!

Fond Of Desi Ghee Ladoos, Sports and Hockey

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One of his

acquaintances also recounted how the Vajpayee loved poetry since childhood and took part in poetic conventions

prominent exponent of Hindi language, Vajpayee’s friends and acquaintances remember him as a simple but popular youngster who remained true to his roots despite achieving global fame Vajpayee’s fondness for the Gwalior city never ceased to exist.

What added to the sweetness of the bond was Gwalior’s famous Bahadura Sweets. Vajpayee was so fond of the desi ghee ladoos that one of the national English dailies had termed them as the ‘Passport to PM.’ Even after attaining global fame, Vajpayee kept coming back to the shop whenever possible to savour the delicacy. His family too never forgot to carry the sweets to New Delhi when they visited him.

Vajpayee’s childhood friend, octogenarian Ramrakhan Misra, said the former prime minister loved the local delicacies and often enjoyed them in the company of his friends.

Simplicity was a trade Vajpayee was famous for. His nephew Deepak, in an interview earlier, had recounted how his uncle rode a bicycle through Gwalior in the 70s despite being an acclaimed politician who had won the 1971 election. Vajpayee, who was always seen in a dhoti, had asked Deepak to get him a bicycle meant for women as

it was easier to ride.

One of his acquaintances also recounted how the master statesman loved poetry since childhood and took part in poetic conventions at an early age.

Vajpayee, who enjoyed playing hockey as a youngster, was extremely popular in school, an acquaintance told. He recounted how once, when the former prime minister fell ill in school, his principal paid a visit to his home to enquire about his health.

Decades after Vajpayee attained matchless fame in Indian politics, he still remained an approachable friend for many in Gwalior. In a previous interview, his old associate Jhammanlal, who has an ironing shop in Naya Bazaar in Gwalior, recounted an instance which stood testimony to Vajpayee’s simplicity.

“When Atal ji was serving as minister of external affairs from 1975 to 1979, he once reached Gwalior from Punjab Mail and landed at my shop. He asked me to quickly down the shutters and spent time with close friends over snacks and tea,” said Jhammanlal.

However, as the news of his presence reached the administration, the entire area was turned into a citadel.

Jhammanlal recounted how Vajpayee had once ironed his coat at his shop and befriended him. For years, Jan Sangh leaders kept meeting at his shop and even decided tickets at his outlet as it was situated in the main bazaar, which gave them the feel of local politics.

Gwalior Mela, an annual trade and culture fair, was also quite close to his heart and he often paid a visit to the extravaganza.

Vajpayee, famous for his political acumen and brilliant oratory skills, was also an ardent sports lover. He was also a big advocate of peace with Pakistan during his prime ministership.

So when Sourav Ganguly and his Indian cricket team came to meet him before embarking on a historic tour of Pakistan in 2004, he had a message of peace for them.

He gave a special cricket bat to Sourav Ganguly with a beautiful quote “Khel hi nahi, dil bhi jeetiye shubhkamnaye” (Win not only the game, but hearts also - best wishes).

Team India played five one-day matches and three Tests on their first full-fledged tour of Pakistan in 15 years.

The Sourav Ganguly-led Indian side included players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Irfan Pathan.

Vajpayee had started peace talks with Pakistan when he was prime minister. The cricket series was one of the initiatives taken for better relations with the neighbouring country. The Indian team were given special visa for the tour.

Indian team won ODI series with 3-2 and Test series with 2-1 margin in the historic tour.

The then Indian team manager Dr Ratnakar Shetty had then cited what happened when the Indian team met then Prime Minister Vajpayee.

“Vajpayee met the players for an hour before the team left (for Pakistan). He said that your motto on this tour has

Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018 to be “khel bhee jitiye, dil bhee jitiye (win matches and also win hearts).”

Vajpayee then presented the Indian team captain, Ganguly, a cricket bat with a message, saying, “Khel hi nahi, dil bhi jeetiye -- shubhkamnaye.”

“Atal ji used to play ludo and chess with us. He was a very down to earth, even after becoming an MP,” Kamal said, recalling how his last meeting with Vajpayee in Kolkata happened in 2004, when he was the PM.

Kolkata Family Narrates Vajpayee’s Love For Films, ‘Phuchkas’

When Vajpayee Heartily Relished South Indian Cuisine

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s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, miles away in Kolkata a pall of gloom descended upon the house of Beriwalas on 167 Chittaranjan Avenue.

This is the house of Ghanshyam Beriwala, a wellknown businessman and a friend of the former PM. Beriwala first met Vajpayee in 1952 during an RSS meet at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s office in Delhi. A house, that Vajpayee frequently visited during his stay in Kolkata.

Kamal Beriwala, son of Ghanyashyam Beriwala, said, “Whenever Atal ji was in Kolkata, he would avoid staying in a hotel and would live in our house in Chittaranjan Avenue, just like a family member.”

“My father Ghanyashyam Beriwala and Atal ji were good friends and besides discussing politics, they used to share poems, talk about movies and street food,” he added Kamal Beriwal remembered how Vajpayee was fond of Kolkata Phuchkas (Golgappe) and Churmur (a spicy chaat made of phuchkawala, potato, tamarind water and spices). “He was very fond of Kolkata and its food. He used to ask huchkawala to add extra spices.”

The family members of the Beriwal household fondly remember that one time when Vajpayee made tea for them during one of his visits and they sat together and watched the Rekha starrer, Umrao Jaan on the VCR. “Umrao Jaan was one of his favourite films. He was fond of movies also and watched several with us,” said Kamal.

Beriwal still cherishes these memories deeply.

V

ajpayee had a surprise special request “to organise the best of South Indian cuisine dishes for the evening” Way back in February 2006, when the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred the “8th SIES-Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award”, he could not travel to Mumbai owing to certain health issues.

He suggested to Mumbai South Indian Education Society (SIES) President V Shankar to hold the function at his New Delhi residence, and also made a surprise special request - “to organise the best of South Indian cuisine dishes for the evening”.

Since Vajpayee was known to be a connoisseur of good food, the SIES authorities rushed to comply and ordered the choicest of the delicacies from the Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Place, in the capital.

“He relished the food immensely that evening, and seemed to have had a little more than his normal intake,” reminisced SIES spokesperson K. A. Viswanathan on Friday.

In fact, Vajpayee later expressed surprise that such delicious South Indian food was available in the heart of New Delhi about which “he was not aware”, and wanted to know how many waiters had come from that restaurant to serve for the evening.

“He magnanimously assembled all the eight boys on the lawns for a group photo session with him, followed by individual shots with each of them. Then, he called for Rs 100 currency notes, autographed each of them and presented them to all the excited servers,” Viswanathan said.

The boys were thrilled and overjoyed when Vajpayee smiled and decided to have “one more cup of nice South Indian filter coffee” with all of them before they left the venue.

During the formal award ceremony, of the several mementoes presented to him, was a portrait of Vajpayee sketched by a Class I student of SIES School.

The late

23 07

Prime Minister was highly impressed and wanted to know who had done that sketch.

After the SIES authorities informed that it was a young student Nirman Olwe, Vajpayee immediately said he wanted to meet him and asked that the student should be brought along with his parents to New Delhi. A few weeks later, the boy accompanied by his grandmother who was also a teacher in the same school, his mother and Shankar, went to the capital and Vajpayee warmly received them.

He presented a return memento to the delighted boy who cherishes those memories till today, Viswanathan said.

Now grown up, that little boy from Antop Hill area of central Mumbai, completed his schooling, HSC and is now pursuing engineering studies.

When Vajpayee Went Down The Memory Lane

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ormer prime minister recalled his association with Lucknow and its culture.

In an interview Atal Bihari said “Lucknow reminds me of Baradari and Chowk where ‘tehzeeb’ of Nawabs is visible in day to day activities, shopping centre Aminabad, historical monuments Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and Bhool Bhulaiyya thronged by tourists from all over the world. I have spent many of my evenings sauntering and chatting with friends on Aminabad streets. The city reminds me of biryani, makhan malai and of rose and chameli petals,” he recalled.

He fondly remembered the Aminabad evenings where gulab and chameli petals were sold in a ‘dona’ (leaf bowl). “A lovely fragrance used to envelope the area as the vendors amused the buyers with their jingle, ‘Majnoo ki haddiyan, Laila ki pasliyan le lo’.”

“What a scene it used to be – ‘Tokri mein phoolon ki pattiyan rakhi huyi, beech mein mombatti jalti huyi…,” he said poetically.

“And ‘makhan malai’ (very light and fluffy) used to be so delicious. I remember that Indira ji too had asked for it during her visit to Lucknow,” Vajpayee said, referring to the late prime minister.

Instead, he remembered ‘qawaalis’ that he enjoyed listening to especially those of Khusro. “People used to take ‘qawwalis’ very lightly. But the ‘qawwals’ used to connect themselves with ‘khuda,” he said.

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Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

t w eet ed condol ences

A Universal Leader Nation Mourns The Death Of The People’s Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Public Servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee ji stood among the tallest leaders of modern India, who spent his whole life serving our great country. His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come.”

Ram Nath Kovind Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all.

Narendra Modi “Atal Ji’s passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him.

He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.” “It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick. 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.”

“Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman.

His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all.”

Amit Shah “Atalji emerged as a popular national leader who believed that power is a means of service and led a spotless political life without compromising on national interest. And that’s why the people across political and social boundaries showered him with love and respect.”

“A rare

Rahul Gandhi

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder of Sulabh, paying his last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters

politician, brilliant speaker, poet and patriot, his demise is not just an irreparable loss for the BJP but the entire country.” “On the one hand Atalji as the head of a party in opposition played the role of an ideal opposition while on the other hand he provided the country a decisive leadership as prime minister.”

Pranab Mukherjee Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM, Atal Ji was a democrat to the core.

In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences.

of India. He was a spellbinding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount.But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. One saw that in all his interactions – with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy. His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum, and from every walk of life. His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul.”

Sonia Gandhi “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or prime minister

Manmohan Singh “I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional

“Today India lost a great son.

Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him,” P Chidambaram

hallmark.

It is not the fact that Vajpayeeji had many friends, it is the fact that he had no enemies that was his distinguishing

Rajnath Singh

Pained beyond words at the demise of Shri Atalji. He had cherished the ideal of a developed and powerful India in which all persons lived together in unity, peace and harmony.

Yogi Adityanath

“Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji worked in the national interest rather than personal interest, he brought a political stability to our country. His ashes will be spread in every river in UP to respect his grand stature.”

Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018 Mamata Banerjee Very very saddened that the great statesman and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us.

His passing away is a very big loss to our nation.

I will always cherish the many fond memories. Condolences to his family and his many admirers Harsimrat Kaur Badal Rare are the leaders who win hearts setting an exemplary conduct. Atal ji was one such statesman, a man of masses and a role model whose words and actions have contributed immensely in making Bharat “Mahaan”. I feel India has lost a gem today... #RIPAtalJi #AtalBihariVaajpayee Mohan Bhagwat

“Vajpayee was a steadfast & universally accepted leader, a great personality who instilled Bharatiya culture & values in public life (sic).”

Sadhuguru

Wise prime minister, statesman & above all a giant leader who was admired by all across political spectrum. End of an era.

Swami Avdeshananda Giri The news of Indian politics’ shining and towering personality, a man without enemies, respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death has stunned me. My respectful tribute.

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak “The demise of former Prime Minister Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee is a cruel blow to India and the world at large. Irreparable is the loss of such a committed, conscientious, farsighted and humble leader. For his magnificent body of work during

his public and political life, he will be gratefully remembered for the ages to come. In 1997, the Sulabh Family had the privilege to honour this great man with the Honest Man of the Year Award. For us that moment was historic and unforgettable. He was a compassionate man, a colossuslike figure, and we pay our heartfelt homage to his departed soul. In this moment of grief, we pray to the Almighty to give succor and support to his grieving family and millions of his admirers across the world.”

Vladimir Putin, President Russia “Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly commanded great respect around the world. He will be remembered as a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries.”

Sheikh Hasina, PM Bangladesh “We are deeply shocked at the sad demise of the former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of the most famous sons of India. He will be remembered for contributing towards good governance and for highlighting issues affecting the common people of India as well as for regional peace and prosperity. “ Pervez Musharraf, Ex-President Pakistan “He was a great man, and it is a great loss. India and Pakistan should both feel the great loss of the towering personality of Mr Vajpayee.”

“I remember that when I shook hands with him, he held my hand and started walking to the front. He believed that if we remain bogged down by the past, we would not be able to resolve our differences.”

“My foreign minister told me that Vajpayee was quite fond of cooking.

I then asked him as to what he liked to cook, and he told me kheer. Since

I also like kheer, I discussed with him the qualities that kheer should have.”

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary “Standing before the United States Congress in 2000, he famously characterized US-India ties as a ‘natural partnership of shared endeavors’.”

“He recognized early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world.

Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee’s vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation.

“The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee’s passing.

Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers.”

Amitabh bachchan “He was an admirer of my father and his works and there were many an occasion when I would be present at their meetings.” “His oratory powers were unmatched and the usage of words exemplary. They were filled with the power of pronunciation. The rendition of the word was enough to give it meaning... One did not need to understand the language, that was his brilliance.

Some of his public speeches and ones done in the Houses of Parliament are testimony’’. “A poet, a writer, a politician, a Prime Minister... an extremely rare human.”

The actor also wrote about the special bond Vajpayee shared with his father.

“Despite his prominence as a leader of eminence, Atalji never hesitated to meet up with my father... Particularly on one occasion when my father was admitted to AIIMS hospital in Delhi, Atalji visited him to ask after his condition. I was there. His compassion and concern was most gracious’’. “It was Atalji who agreed to launch and honour the occasion when the ‘stamp’ was inaugurated in my father’s name. It was in Lucknow.”

Lata Mangeshkar “He was like my father. He called me Beti. I called him Dadda. I feel I’ve

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lost my father all over again.

“When I saw the glow on his face, his persuasive oratorical powers and his love for the arts, I was always reminded of my father (the legendary musician-stage actor Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar). When I was a child many national leaders and politicians would visit my home.

Vir Savarkar was one of them. Atalji reminded me of Vir Savarkar. He was a noble soul. No words of praise can do justice to him. Atalji was never short of words. But I am.”

“He was a poet at heart and a saint by nature. He was a visionary and India made rapid progress during his primeministership. I remember how much he did to improve relations with Pakistan. He started the bus service to Pakistan. And he was very keen that I be one of the first passengers in that journey to the other side of the border. He told me that people in Pakistan were as keen to hear me as people in India. But I didn’t go. It was always hard to say no to Atalji. “Dadda was man with a vision. I can listen to them for hours. In his going India has been orphaned. But then, if he was in so much pain it would’ve been selfish of us to hold him back. He is now relieved of all pain probably regaling the gods with his oration.

Shah Rukh Khan I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for screen. He was fondly addressed as ‘Baapji’ at home. Today the country has lost a Father Figure and a great leader.

Personally I have lost a part of my childhood and growing up memories of learning smiling and of course poetry. I consider myself the luckiest to have had his influence on my life during my formative years.

May his soul rest in peace.

Sachin Tendulkar India is at a great loss today. Shri #AtalBihari Vajpayee ji’s contributions to our nation have been innumerable.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.

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Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

“Main Atal Bhi Hoon Aur Bihari Bhi” Vajpayee The Master Of One-Liners

been specially found by opening a dictionary in front,” he said, amid laughter in the entire Lok Sabha.

On another occasion, he said, “Vajpayee to achha hai, par party theek nahi hai. Toh achche Vajpayee ka kya karne ka iraada rakhte hain.

F

or a political stalwart gifted with great eloquence in public, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was either a man of few words or a great charmer if he chose to be, in interactions with people.

With his one-liners, Atal Bihari Vajpayee often trumped the questioner that helped tide over tough questions posed to him and defuse the situation.

“Main ‘Atal’ bhi hoon aur ‘Bihari’ bhi hoon”.

This one liner from Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a poll rally in Bihar in 2004 to woo voters was one such example of the former prime minister’s penchant for subtle humour and spontaneity which he displayed with ease on several occasions.

A master orator, Mr Vajpayee used the witty remarks with aplomb for political satire on his opponents that often won him accolades and hearts of many.

When Congress chief Sonia Gandhi termed his government as corrupt, incompetent and incapable,

he hit back saying it seems the words have been specially found from the dictionary.

He told her in Parliament that while they were working with her shoulder to shoulder, despite differing thoughts, is this the way to express your differences.

“It looks like the words have

(You say that Mr Vajpayee is good, but his party is not...Then what do you intend doing with the good Mr Vajpayee.)

Once when LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan, who was with the Congress, attacked the BJP over the Ram temple issue saying BJP talks about Ram, but does not have Ram in it

while he has in his name.

Mr Vajpayee’s response --”Paswan ji, Haram mein bhi Ram hota hai (Ram is even there in the word ‘Haram’ (forbidden in Arabic)”. Mr Paswan is now a BJP ally.

In 2003, Mr Vajpayee told Parliament, “You can change a friend, but not a neighbour” while suggesting that friendship with Pakistan should be maintained to the extent possible.

Responding to the remark by a Pakistani foreign minister that Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir, Mr Vajpayee said “without Pakistan, India is incomplete”.

One of his other famous one liners was “democracy is such where two foolish people defeat a strong man”. About himself, he once said “I neither have the wealth of my grandfather or my father, but have the blessings of my mother”.

Elsewhere, he was once asked “Padosi kehte hai ki ek haath se taali nahi bajti” (you cannot cal with one hand), he came with his quick reply saying, “Humne kaha ki chutki toh baj sakti hai” (but one can click our finger).

On yet another occasion, when asked about the existence of two ‘dal’ (factions) - that of Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani, within the BJP, he said “Main kisi dal-dal mein nahi hoon. Main auron ke dal-dal mein apna kamal khilaata hoon”.

Atal Ji-The Gentle Giant Arun Jaitley’s acquaintance with Atalji started in 1973...

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tal ji was a familiar face in the country. both Parliament and political Atal Ji penned a Poem, which was rallies. We had invited him very often heard in 1977 election. The for several speeches in the Delhi opening sentence of the Poem read as – University. Whenever we wanted some “Toot sakte hain magar hum jhuk nahi issues to be raised in Parliament, we sakte”. My image of him in the early rushed to brief him. My acquaintance 1990s was of “the best man”, who never with him started in 1973 when I became the Prime Minister, was a student leader in Delhi but history vindicated University.

Thereafter, him, and he went on I started interacting to become, one of Opening with him frequently. the outstanding sentence of the He has been a great Prime Ministers listener. He used to of India.

Poem read as – occasionally react to Atal ji is “Toot sakte some enthusiastic the product of ideas, which we gave, a democratic hain magar with humour. During system, and hum jhuk nahi JP’s movement in trained in sakte”.

1974, he was active in Parl iamentar y addressing rallies across values. He realised the

virtues of both consensus and harmony. His conduct of the Cabinet Meetings was never tense. If any of us raised any point, or even contradicted a point, he encouraged discussion.

The last word, of course, belonged to him. He was liberal in his economic thinking. He realised the importance of infrastructure creation.

The National Highway programme, and the Power sector reforms are the part of his legacy. He was committed to normalising the relations with our neighbouring countries.

His ‘Bus initiative’ with Pakistan was undertaken at a great political risk, since his own constituency had to be convinced of this. In 2003, he tried to normalise relationship with

China, and signed an agreement on settlement of the boundary dispute. A new Chapter of Indo-US relationship was authored during his tenure. He was unquestionably the greatest orator India has heard, since Independence.

He could play with words but he was always measured. He was a wordsmith.

He never fell into temptation of committing an impropriety. He realised virtues of social harmony. His ability to rise above the party for a larger national cause was significant.

Atal Memories

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

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Fal i s N ar i man on Vaj pay ee

'Greatest Indian Statesman Of My Time In Parliament' The eminent lawyer gives fulsome praise to the former Prime Minister for his high sense of propriety Vishnu Makhijani

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tal Bihari Vajpayee taught noted jurist Fali S. Naiman an invaluable lesson: It doesn’t pay to get angry or lose your temper in Parliament.

“Atalji was an astute statesman to his fingertips. Courageous when required. Diplomatic when necessary. He taught me a great lesson -- that it pays not to be angry or lose your temper when speaking in Parliament. It is always advisable to scotch your opponent with faint praise!” writes Nariman in a chapter titled “The Lawyer and the Law Giver”.

“This is one of the things I learnt in my sojourn in Parliament (19992005),” he added.

He also credits Vajpayee, “one of the greatest statesmen of his time – in my view, the greatest Indian statesmen of my time in Parliament”, of instilling in him “a sense of fun and not merely a sense of good humour”.

One example of this was when Vajpayee had returned from a foreign visit and it was customary for the prime minister to make a statement in each House of Parliament. MPs handpicked by the Chair were asked to pose questions so that more information could be elicited.

On one such occasion, Nariman found himself “one of the fortunate few to do so”, along with two members belonging to different political parties. One of them posted a couple of questions and so did Nariman.

The third MP was diplomatturned-politician K. Natwar Singh of the Congress, which was then in opposition “and his questions were very critical of the government and full of invective as well”, Nariman writes.

“Natwar Singh spoke in crisp English: ‘Mr Chairman Sir, I have six questions for the Prime Minister.’

And he set them out one by one.

While raising each question, he

raised his voice as Prime Minister Vajpayee, – the lawyer or the law giver,” well: a decibel louder – receiving US President each time angrier than Bill Clinton as President adding that “sadly, when he had asked the K.R.Narayanan looks on: for both lawyers statesman to his finger and members of previous question!” tips, says Nariman Parliament, ethics in He writes that politics or in the law Vajpayee answered the is at a low.” questions raised by others He then goes on and then came to the six to name Vajpayee posed by Natwar Singh. as one of three “Speaking in fluent Hindi “o u t s t a n d i n g ” he noted that the Congress members of MP was very intelligent Parliament (the and always knew his other two being L.K. facts. He then added: Advani amd Somnath ‘Lekin unko gussa bahut Chatterjee), “all jaldi aa jata hai’ (he gets distinguised leaders” angry very quickly). who had “proved that That riposte brought one can be ethical – the House down. The and act accordingly – as six questions remained an honourable member unanswered – having of Parliament”. been dissolved in laughter,” Vajpayee, Nariman Nariman writes.

He begins the chapter by stating: writes, had a “very trusted, efficient “There is a close race today as to and well-loved lieutenant” in his which is lower in public esteem Council of Ministers. “But in July

2000, when that Minister stepped out of the crease and made intemperate remarks against the integrity of the then Chief Justice of India (about wrongly stating his date of birth), and when this became public, Prime Minister Vajpayee moved swiftly – on the high moral and ethical principle that one constitutional functionary must never denigrate or malign another high-ranking constitutional functionary,” Vajpayee went to the President and had him sacked, says Nariman.

“There were few protests, from Vajpayee’s own party. But Vajpayee was adamant – there was no taking back of the dropped minister. This high moral sense of values exhibited

by Vajpayee is what I consider another great example of ethics in politics,” Nariman writes.

God Save The Hon’ble Supreme Court

By Fali S. Nariman; Publisher: Hay House; Pages: 304; Price: Rs 599

28

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

The United States of America Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Indian community at Madison Square Garden, New York ( September 28, 2014)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to supporters during a community reception at Madison Square Garden in New York on September 28, 2014

EXCERPTS t is my privilege to meet during the holy period of Navratras, Shakti Upasna and Shuddhi Karan my Indian brothers and sisters, who while living thousands of kilometres away from India, have maintained the respect of their homeland.

You have earned a lot of respect in America by virtue of your social and professional behaviour. Due to your contribution, India has an identity across the world. You all celebrated the results of

I

the parliamentary election, for which I am thankful to you. India has given a clear majority after 30 years. All predictions of opinion makers have been proved wrong. The poor, illiterate people of Indian villages made an opinion for the opinion makers. Winning an election brings with it great responsibility.

I have taken this responsibility. I have not taken a vacation since then, even for 15 minutes. I assure you that my government will do nothing that breaks the trust that you

have reposed in it. The country is looking for change, the poor want to become a part of the global success story.

I know that all of you sitting here have a lot of hopes from the new government in India. This government will do everything possible to meet those hopes and aspirations.

India today is the oldest civilisation with the youngest population in the world. This is a dynamic combination. There is no reason for disillusionment.

I assure you that the nation will move forward at a very fast pace.

We have to mobilise our strengths to move forward.

These strengths are 1.25 billion people who personify the voice of God, the demographic dividend due to a young population and demand. The world looks at India because it is a big bazaar.

Mahatma Gandhi converted the fight for independence into a people’s movement.

Every Indian felt that he was fighting for the independence of his nation. This was the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi. Now, we have to make development a people’s movement. Everybody should be proud of his/her contribution to the country. A teacher or a house-keeper should feel that he/she is contributing more than the Prime Minister.

There is going to be a huge demand for a work force by 2020. India should be in a position to provide the work force to the world. Today, there is a global demand for nurses, teachers etc., that India can meet. India is full of talent, which needs to be exploited.

An autorickshaw takes rupees ten for one kilometre; India has sent a satellite at the cost of rupees seven to a kilometre.

Look at our ingenuity and talent. Our mission to Mars has cost less than the budget of a Hollywood movie.

India will make skill

development its strength.

My government has created a separate ministry for skill development. We are going to invite other nations to join us in this enterprise. We wish to produce job creators and working hands.

In order to ensure that national wealth comes within the reach of all citizens, my government launched the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana, which has received a massive response in the first few weeks itself, with deposits increasing Rs. 1500 crores. We need to motivate people to avail this facility.

I invite you to join the Make in India initiative launched by my government to avail a facility of low-cost production. All facilities will be made online and you will be able to access it on your mobile phones.

I will request all those present here to visit our website www.mygov.in and send me suggestions. This facility has been created to help to join the national effort in case you wish to do so and contribute towards nation-building.

When we look at good governance, we look at easy governance, effective governance and governance that meets the aspirations of the people.

I have started a cleanliness campaign in India which you all would have appreciated. People in India have a reverence for the holy Ganga. I have taken the mantle of getting the holy river cleaned, even though others have tried and failed after spending thousands of crores of rupees. I am not backing

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

29

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at UN General Assembly (English rendition of the original speech in Hindi)

Main Points made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address Today, as I stand here, I am equally aware of the hopes that are pinned on this great assembly.

differences and mount a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism.

Today, 193 sovereign flags fly at this building. Each nation, born into freedom, has sought a place here with the same belief and hope.

We should ensure that there will be peace, stability and order in outer space and cyber space.

Today, there is a surge towards democracy across the world, including in South Asia (Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan).

My government has placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with her neighbours.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, speaks during the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 27, 2014.

down from taking the challenge.

Gandhiji had two things close to his heart, independence and cleanliness. He got independence for the country. Now on his 150 birth anniversary, we will give him a clean India.

By 2022, when we celebrate 75 years of independence, it is my dream that no family in the country should be homeless. I am talking of these small things, but it is these small things that will change the nation’s destiny.

I wish to tell you that a PIO holder will get a lifetime visa.

Also those who stay in India for long durations will not have to report to the police station.

To remove ambiguities, the PIO and OCI schemes will be amalgamated. Long-term visas will be provided to US citizens travelling to India along with electronic travel authorisation and visa on arrival facilities.

We will all join together to serve our country and do whatever we can for our countrymen. With this thought, I thank you once again!.

I

t is truly a great honour to address the UNGA for the first time as the Prime Minister of India. I stand here conscious of the hopes and expectations of the people of India.

I am also mindful of the expectations of the world from 1.25 billion people.

India is a country that constitutes one-sixth of humanity; a nation experiencing economic and social transformation on a scale rarely seen in history.

India’s ancient wisdom sees the world as one family. It is reflected in a tradition of openness and diversity; coexistence and cooperation.

This is why India speaks not just for itself, but also for the cause of justice, dignity, opportunity and prosperity around the world.

It is also because of this timeless current of thought that India has an unwavering belief in multilateralism.

This includes Pakistan. I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation.

However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment for it.

India is part of the developing world, but we are prepared to share our modest resources with those countries that need this assistance as much as we do.

Terrorism is taking a new shape and a new name. No country, big or small, in the north or the south, east or west, is free from its threat.

Even today, states allow terrorist sanctuaries on their territory, or use terrorism as instruments of their policy.

Today, even as seas, space and cyber space have become new instruments of prosperity, they could also become new theatres of conflicts.

We must reform the United Nations, including the Security Council, and make it more democratic and participative.

We should put aside our

We should work together to ensure that all countries observe international rules and norms.

We should energise the noble task of UN Peacekeeping; we should involve troop contributing countries in the process of decision making Let us continue to redouble our efforts to pursue universal global disarmament and nonproliferation.

We must pursue a more stable and inclusive global development.

Billions live on the edge of poverty and want; countries that are barely able to survive a global economic storm.

There has never been a time when it has seemed more possible than now to change this. Technology has made things possible.

Each country must of course take its own national measures; each government must fulfil its responsibility to support growth and development.

The eradication of poverty must remain at the core of the Post2015 Development Agenda and command our fullest attention.

For us in India, respect for nature is an integral part of spiritualism. We treat nature’s bounties as sacred.

Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being.

Continue in next issue

30

Sulabh Parivar

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

Dignitaries Who Visited Sulabh Gram

Shri Pradip Burman, Chairman, Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd. a subsidiary of Dabur India Ltd., along with his sister Ms. Indira Burman, at the technology of Sulabh Two- Pit Pour Flush Compost toilet model, during their visit to Sulabh Sansaar on August 04, 2018.

Mr. Rambahadur Choudhary, Gram Pradhan of Sarisab Pahi Panchayat (Madhubani) Mr. Amal kumar Jha, scholar and writer (Madhubani), Dr. Pramod Praveen, Senior Copy Editor, Jansatta, Dr. Pankaj Kumar, CEO, Technical Polymers Material, New Delhi, Ms. Huda Zariwale, Mr. Amod Vardhan Yajurvedi, Managing Director, Digital Sound Studio and Propritor, Brahaspati Publications and Dr. (Mrs.) Sarita Pathak Yajurvedi, Artist and HOD, Music, Bharti College, Delhi University and from belongs to Rampur Gharana , looking at the various artifacts being displayed in the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, during his visit to Sulabh Sansaar on August 03, 2018.

Ms. Bharti, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, being explained the procedure of making sanitary napkin at the Sanitary Napkin Facilitation Centre, during her visit to Sulabh Sansaar on August 11, 2018.

Mr. Abdoulaye Sow, Counselor – Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in India, Mme Sow Fatoumata Diaraye, Director General – Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in India, Mr. M L Shaw, Manager svc. Engineer. (Ret.) Air India Ltd and Rajender Singh, Chairman, J R Companies, being explained the mechanism of production of biogas through biogas plant linked with Sulabh public toilet, during their visit to Sulabh Sansaar on August 06, 2018

Events

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

events & more...

The Stationery & Art Fair Venue : Pragati Maidan Pragati Maidan, New Delhi 25 Aug 10:00 AM - 2 Sep 7:00 PM

ACROSS 3. Which one is the largest ocean in the World 6. In which country, white elephant is found 10. Which country is the largest producer of coffee in the World 12. Which continent has the highest number of countries 14. Which network protocol is used to send e-mail?

15. Which of the following is a trans Himalayan river?

16. Which of the following is mined by the alluvial mining process in some areas?

17. Which country is also known as the ‘Land of Tulips’ 19. In which ocean ‘Bermuda Triangle’ region is located 20. Scandinavia is a suitable country for exploiting hydroeiectrvdty because of the presence of -

SSB crossword no. 36

events

SOLUTION of crossword no.35

Cutting Chai & Pakoras Venue : Mister Chai - Shangri La’s Eros Hotel CONNAUGHT PLACE Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, 19, Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, Delhi 15 Aug 12:00 PM - 31 Aug 12:00 PM

Workshop: Paint Mandalas On An Umbrella In A Natural, Outdoor Setting Venue : Studio Pepperfry

SOUTH EXTENSION - 2 D-14, 2nd Floor, Above Croma Retail, South Extension 2, New Delhi 1 Sep 2018 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

1.Genocide 2.Amputate 3.Misologistic 4.Transmigration 5.Hippy 6.Fatalist 7.Autocracy 8.Atheist 9.Fratricide 10.Audience

11.Eccentric 12.Altruist 13.Feminist 14.Gratis 15.Arsenal 16.Archives 17.Credulous 18.Cerebration 19.Anthropologist 20.Garrulous

solution of sudoku-35

Comedy Night with Jeeveshu Ahluwalia Venue : Hyjack SAFDARJUNG

B-6/6, 2nd Floor, DDA Market, Opp. Deer Park, Safdarjung, New Delhi 2 Sep 2018 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

31

DOWN 1. Which country is also known as the ‘Land of Rising Sun’ 2. The Periyar Game Sanctuary in Kerala is renowned for 4. Which country is known as the ‘Battleground of Europe’ 5. The tropical deciduous plants special to the Deccan are 7. Which one is the largest producer of tea in the World 8. In which country, ‘Suez Canal’ is located 9. The most important uranium ore deposits occur in 11. Which one is the smallest ocean in the World 13. Which one of the following devices is required to connect a computer to the internet?

18. Which one is the longest continental mountain range in the world

sudoku-36

India’s First Art Exhibition Created By Artificial Intelligence Venue : Nature Morte NEETI BAGH A-1, Neeti Bagh, New Delhi 17 Aug 12:00 PM - 15 Sep 8:00 PM

on the lighter side by DHIR

Please mail your solution to - ssbweekly@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 9868807712, One Lucky Winner will win Cash Prize of Rs 500/-. Look for the Solution in the Next Issue of SSB

32

Newsmakers

Aug 20 - 26, 2018

Unsung Hero

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar

The Man Behind Nasa’s Mission Sun The NASA Parker Solar Probe hopes to study the ‘solar winds’ first proposed by Dr Parker’s paper

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ankind’s first mission to ‘touch’ the Sun may have panned out differently had it not been for Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, whose intervention made it possible for a research paper proposing the existence of solar wind to get published 60 years ago.

The Parker Solar Probe, which lifted off on 12 August from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is all set to become the fastest-moving manmade object in history. NASA hopes to figure out longstanding mysteries about the Sun, including the notion of solar winds first proposed by Dr Eugene Newman Parker in 1958.

However, nearly 60 years ago, if Subrahmanyan

Chandrasekhar, who was the editor for a reputed science journal, had not intervened and allowed Dr Eugene Parker (after whom the mission is named) who was a budding astrophysicist at the time, to publish his paper on ‘solar winds,’ this mission may not have ever seen the light of day.

The NASA Parker Solar Probe hopes to study the ‘solar winds’ first proposed by Dr Parker’s paper.

“Chandra, as he was popularly known, is another astrophysicist with his name tagged to a space mission, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory,” Dr Nandi said. In 1983, the Indian astrophysicist had won the Nobel Prize along with Willian Fowler on a study documenting the evolution of stars.

Sanjay Goyal

MP’S Medicine Man Meet The IAS Officer Ensuring Free Drugs & Diagnostics For All

s

anjay Goyal, a qualified pediatrician, never thought about becoming a civil servant until he understood first-hand the critical importance of an efficient administration towards improving the health outcome of any society.

While pursuing job as a medical officer at Primary Health Centre in a small village in Punjab, he saw a shortage of basic amenities like health care, sanitation, education (especially for girl children from disadvantaged sections), and lack of medicines. He realised that the health status of any society is not only dependent upon the availability of clinicians but also requires specialists across different professions to be involved in the administration to work at various levels of government. There is one incident during his time as a medical officer in a small Punjab village, which brought these truths home. “I was repeatedly visited by a poor girl from a Scheduled Caste community who used to come along with her father—a bonded labourer, without any wages in cash. Despite being about seven years old, she wasn’t able to get admission to a government school. She didn’t have a birth certificate, for which her father required money to travel to the nearest Tehsil headquarters.

Vishnu Kachhawa

Merchant Donates Blankets For Kerala Flood Relief Amidst all this chaos, stories like that of Vishnu Kachhawa will restore your faith in humanity

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haring takes great courage— especially when you offer someone everything you have.

Vishnu Kachhawa, a door-to-door salesman from Madhya Pradesh who sells blankets in Iritty, in Kannur district of Kerala, became a star on social media overnight, after he donated his entire stock of blankets to people in a floodrelief camp at Adichukootti Government School, Mangad, in the district.

For Vishnu, it was an opportunity to give

something back to the land and its people who have been helping him earn a livelihood for more than 12 years.

As reported, Vishnu had initially planned to sell the stock which he bought from Haryana, but donated fifty blankets after seeing the devastation caused by the flood.

“Kannur is my second home. Kerala has given me everything, a place to stay, a livelihood to support my family and raise my children and really good climate. I am seeing Kerala in such agony for the first time. I cannot afford to watch people suffering and I gave them what I have.”

He is unaware of the fact that he has become a star on Kerala’s social media space. When he was told about it, he laughed and said “Baap re! Has my news gone viral? My wife will be amused!”

It was then I realised and felt the need of becoming a part of the administrative system to bring about effective change and make a difference in the lives of common people,” says Goyal.

He also has the distinction of turning the Gwalior district into an open-defecation free (ODF) area over the course of just nine months as district magistrate, besides conducting innovative campaign under the Centre’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padao (save and educate girl child) scheme, which won him major plaudits. Today, he is the Managing Director of a State-run distribution and retail supply firm.

However, among this IAS officer’s greatest achievements has to be the successful planning and implementation of the MP government’s ‘Free Medicine Scheme’ launched on November 17, 2012, as the Director of the State’s Health and Family Welfare department. The MP government started this scheme to ensure regular availability of basic essential medicines to patients from all walks of life. Under the scheme, generic medicines are distributed free of cost to all government hospitals. With provisions for free diagnostics facility (ECG, sonography, echocardiography and X-ray tests) from district hospitals to sub-health centres, average citizens can visit them and receive treatment without paying a dime. However, the most heartening aspect of this scheme is how village residents are visiting the local PHCs before proceeding to the district hospital.

RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561, Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing) Delhi No. F. 2 (S-45) Press/ 2016 Volume - 2, Issue - 36 Printed by Monika Jain, Published by Monika Jain on behalf of SULABH SANITATION MISSION FOUNDATION and Printed at The Indian Express Ltd., A-8, Sector-7, NOIDA (U.P.) and Published from RZ 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi – 110 045. Editor Monika Jain