Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on how Vajpayee gave the message to the world that India would never bow to the international pressure by conducting Pokhran nuclear tests, first on May 11 and the again when sanctions were being put, on May 13.
Setting aside their political differences, leaders of all political parties came under one roof once again to remember and pay their homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the prayer meeting organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday.
Describing Vajpayee's steely resolve, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on how Vajpayee gave the message to the world that India would never bow to the international pressure by conducting Pokhran nuclear tests, first on May 11 and the again when sanctions were being put, on May 13.
"It was Atalji who took the atal (unflinching) decision to conduct the nuclear tests and gave a message that nothing can bend India's resolve," he said.
PM Modi also talked about how Vajpayee remained strongwilled despite the fall of his government within 13 days and worked hard by honouring regional aspirations and leading a coalition government soon after.
"Many would have left politics after that episode, but he didn't stop and when nobody was ready to walk with him, he honoured regional aspirations and ran a successful coalition government," PM Modi said.
The PM also credited Vajpayee for bringing Pakistan's design of terrorism to the centre stage.
"He virtually lived an anonymous life for 10 years but still lives in people's mind," said PM Modi, adding that wrestler Bajrang Punia's gesture of dedicating his Gold medal to Atalji, who never met him, talks volumes of his popularity even among today's youth.
Leaders of many Opposition parties, Ghulam Nabi Azad of Congress, Farooq Abdullah of National Conference, Derek O'Brien of TMC and others used the occasion to praise Vajpayee for his big heartedness, quality of taking the Opposition along and his use of soft language even in times of animosity.
"Even when he said bitter things, it sounded sweet to ears... despite being opposite in ideologies, we used to have lunch together – sometime in his room and at times in my room. The distances were not so big as they are today," said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Praising Vajpayee's qualities, Azad said, "Though Vajpayeeji belongs to BJP but people from different parties, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari are here. In his demise, he has brought us together... There are very few people who can diminish boundaries the way he did."
Making a powerful speech in Vajpayee's honour, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said, "Vajpayeeji never spoke as an man who possessed power but with love."
Reminiscing Kargil war days, Abdullah said, "I still remember his words amid the noise of shelling. Looking at the mountains on Pakistan he said, 'nobody can make India fall. The mistake you've made, you will regret one day'."
Taking an indirect dig at the present dispensation, Abdullah said, "This country is yours as it is mine.... His soul is looking at everyone present here and asking whether you will make a country that belongs to all of us. If you want to remember Atalji, then make a country that gives out love. That will be our biggest homage to him." Abdullah ended his speech with the roar of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind'.
Remembering his 65-year=long friendship with Vajpayee, a visibly moved veteran BJP leader LK Advani said, "I never thought I'll ever address a meeting of this kind in which Atalji will not be there."
He shared his fond memories with Vajpayee of watching movies and reading books together and eating the food cooked by him.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat praised Vajpayee's immense contribution in caring the small plant (Jana Sangh) and developing it into a huge fruit and flower bearing tree that is giving so much to the society now.
"He exemplified how a Sangh person should live when he reaches the highest position," said Bhagwat.
Citing an anecdote, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "A tall leader like Pandit Nehru saw the qualities of becoming PM in young Atalji when he first came to Lok Sabha... Till the time he did not become PM, the people of India saw a PM in him."
D Raja of CPI remembered how Vajpayee sought the help of diametrically opposed Left parties to counter the US pressure to commit Indian troops for Iraq war to which the left parties immediately agreed and helped in passing a resolution in the Parliament the next day against sending Indian troops.
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