The day was February 11th and the year 2007, when squally winds and a sudden downpour welcomed Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the northern state of Punjab.
He was there to mobilize support for Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was contesting the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) seat on Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ticket from Amritsar.
Nearly 100,000 umbrellas were distributed to those gathered under the make-shift tents in the heart of the city, to listen to the former Prime Minister, damp and unaware that they were going to become an indelible part of a historic moment.
Not many at the time knew that the political icon would be addressing the public for one last time.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee-the wordsmith:
And the one in a billion man sure didn’t disappoint.
The stalwart leader opened his speech with his characteristic poetic nuance stating that the “winds of change were gushing across Punjab and sun is likely to shine through,” signifying that his side will return to power by replacing Congress in the next state elections.
He then went on to criticise Congress’ habit of reviving the spectre of terrorism to win elections and ended his short but powerful speech with a commitment to the people of Punjab that the Akali Dal-BJP combine would together change the “tasveer and taqdir” (picture and future) of the state, if voted to power.
And on that wet February morning, Mr Vajpayee’s words, heavy with criticism and full of promise, lit the fuse that ensured the return of Akali Dal-BJP in Punjab.
Such was the conviction in his words which had both the brilliance of oratory and the principles of humanity, which from now on would rest in the pages of history.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee's rich and distinct legacy:
Elected ten times to the Lower house and twice a member of the Upper House, the parliamentarian spent more than 60 years of his life in the political sphere, dedicating most of his tenure towards strengthening the roots and later steering the BJP to the helm of power.
He served as Prime Minister of India on three occasions.
He passed away in New Delhi's All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday August 16th. He had been admitted to the hospital on June 11th, with urinary and kidney infections.
A seven-day period of mourning has been declared in India, with many states including Delhi and Punjab observing a public holiday today.
His final rites will be performed at 4 pm (India time) at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at New Delhi.
Mr Vajpayee will be bid farewell with full state honours.
World pays tribute to the departed leader:
Tributes have poured in from leaders across party lines and countries for the political legend.
Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate in Melbourne will be raising the Indian flag at half mast from 16th to 22nd of August as a mark of respect to the departed leader. A book of condolences has also been opened at the Consulate Center for the public on 21st and 22nd of August to express their thoughts for the legendary leader.Image
