After witnessing its beloved daughter, Rani Lakshmibai, lay down her life in the ultimate act of devotion for the punyabhumi Bharat, Gwalior yearned once more for a soul bold enough to carry her unyielding spirit forward. Years went by, after which the city was blessed with a boy named Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 25th of December, 1924. He positively changed the stream of Indian politics and earned the moniker of being an AzadShatru. It has been 100 years since the land of Gawalior gave birth to its brave son who carried the saffron rays of Surya to Indian politics which seriously lacked Dharmic shades.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s journey from a modest family to becoming India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term is a tale of courage, vision, and unwavering principles. With Indian National Congress dominating the electoral politics back in late 20th century came a poet who through his poetry weaved a new India.
With the blessings of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with Lal Krishna Advani came up with their new political party, Bharatiya Janata Party on 6th of August, 1980 that changed the entire discourse of Indian Politics. “Andhera chhatega, suraj niklega, kamal khilega” were the words that came out of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1980 that encapsulated his vision for India. Today, as we celebrate his centenary, his prophecy stands fulfilled with the BJP firmly at the helm and the nation flourishing under his ideals.
A statesman par excellence, he transformed the BJP from a marginal entity to a national force which we witness today. As Prime Minister, Vajpayee’s visionary policies be it the Golden Quadrilateral or Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan laid the foundation for India’s modern infrastructure and economic growth.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee apart from being a statesman was an orator in a century. His avatar as a poet too never failed to mesmerise the Indian audience. Through his poetry, he tried to instill Indian values and love for the nation which are required to give a positive shape to the nation. Some of the poems of Atal ji includes “Maatribhumi Ka Diya Jalao”, “Mastak Nahi Jhukega”, “Kadham Mila Kar Chalna Hoga”, “Geet Naya Gata Hoon”, “Kya Khoya Kya Paya”, “Hindu Tan Man, Hindu Jeevan”. A poet from Gwalior through his poetry weaved an India which decided to keep her head high be it Kargil War or Nuclear test in Pokhran.
