Vajpayee’s stature was defined not by the positions he held but by his deeds: Rajnath

“Atal-ji envisioned making India a powerful nation. He pursued this dream with great determination. The result of which was that India emerged as a nuclear power. Not only this, he played a crucial role in making the country self-reliant, strong and technologically advanced,” Singh, who represents Lucknow in Lok Sabha, said.

Vajpayee too used to be an MP from Lucknow.

Singh said that Vajpayee not only took the country forward on the path of development but also firmly upheld democratic values.

Referring to his own association with Vajpayee, Singh said while he could not comment about the younger generation in Lucknow, most people of his age had, in some form or another, come into contact with Vajpayee.

Vajpayee represented Lucknow in the Lok Sabha five times from 1991 to 2009.

Vajpayee always remained conscious of the idea that rising high and becoming isolated are not the same, Singh said.

Vajpayee’s well-known poem ‘Unchai’ expressed this very sentiment, which was written in 1992 after he was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, Singh said.

Singh also recited lines from Vajpayee’s poems and said that, along with height, there was also expanse in Vajpayee’s life and personality. Singh recited its lines: “Toote hue sapnon ki kaun sune siski, antar ki kya vyatha, palkon par khidki – haar nahin maanunga, raah nayi thaanunga.” Singh also said that Vajpayee was as serious as he was fond of humour, a side of him that people of Lucknow were especially familiar with. Singh said even while laughing, Vajpayee would often make profound remarks.

Addressing the programme, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, “Atal Ji was an outstanding poet. Through his poetry, he often defeated his opponents in Parliament. The arrows of his words were so simple and effortless that even his opponents became admirers of his poetry. His writings carry a deep message of inspiration and sacrifice for future generations of India.”

“Atal-Ji was a protector of national interests, an inspiration for social harmony, a committed worshipper of democratic values, and a strong sentinel of democracy,” he added.

—With PTI