Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist August 2018 | Page 57

REMEMBRANCE
F
ormer PM Atal Behari Vajpayee, popularly called Atal
Ji, left to his heavenly abode in utter dismay and anguish
to all; not only Indians but all of his well-wishers in
all over the world. Why is this so? Was he to remain in this
mortal world forever? Or is there anyone who is supposed
to be here for all times to come; though there are seven
divinities like Lord Hanumanji, Ashawathama, Vibhishan,
Kripacharya, Maharshi Vyas, Lord Parashurama, Mahabali,
who are Chiranjeevi (one who never dies) according to the
religious scriptures of ancient Hindu mythology and so-
emerged sayings in the socio-cultural psyche of India. It is
here the meaning or substance of being Atal Behari Vajpayee
unfolds the phenomenon of his unparalleled and unmatched
personality and also his unique contribution towards uplift
and welfare of the downtrodden and hapless humanity in the
whole world which well characterizes his gentle persona as
well as noble human self with pious heart in the true sense of
welfare, progress prosperity and well-being of all the lesser
mortals living upon the mother earth, irrespective of national
boundaries.
And his relentless endeavour throughout his life was
marked by this predominant spirit of selfl ess service of the
entire humanity in the most devoted manner and with the
sincerest commitment so as to alleviate the trauma and agony
of millions of suffering human populace in a peaceful, rational
and progressive way. Though he had been the prime minister
of India his vision did not confi ne him to his country alone;
rather his poetic heart always came out for the rescue of the
entire humanity suffering from ignorance, backwardness,
and poverty in the whole world. It was this approach with
which he began his career of social service or service to the
nation in his prime youth and became a full-time cadre of
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his very early age
and publically decided to remain a bachelor throughout his
life. He joined the Quit India Movement in 1942 launched
by Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned by the British
Government for his political activities in the ongoing freedom
struggle for the liberation of the country from the British yoke.
But that did not discourage his fi rm resolve and deep
penchant to render his whole life for the welfare of others,
instead of enjoying all material or worldly pleasures like any
young man of his age. That is why he always considered
India - the country as a nation – the highest society of virtuous
life, as described by the great Greek philosopher Aristotle in
terms of the Greek word koinonia, above and uppermost to
any individual, howsoever rich or mighty he or she may be.
Obviously the nation is always supreme and also an end in
itself upon the earth - though the supreme end is salvation of
this human body to achieve union with the Almighty, the God
present his divine realm or Golok - but neither in a narrow
sense of the term nor in the fascist fashion to arouse jingoism
or extreme and pernicious nationalism, being popular during
inter-war years and afterwards too. Yet despite being a
hardcore nationalist his vision always extended beyond
national boundaries to reach every individual upon the earth
in the true spirit of an ever-cherished ancient Indian ideal
of vasudhaive kutumbakam- the entire world is a family on
the mother earth. And that, obviously, transforms him from
an undisputed national leader to a statesman like Mahatma
Gandhi, Abraham Lincon or George Washington - one who
cares for the welfare of the entire humanity and goes beyond
the limits of time and space, after having successfully carved
out a niche in the hearts and minds of teeming millions to put
his fi ne imprints, to be remembered by all of them as long as
this mortal world is to exist.
Though there are several aspects or numerous dimensions
of his personality to narrate and to be described - all these
humane traits associated with his personality converge to
single him out as a perfect gentleman and humble & sober
person, a moderate politician yet always with a sense of
humour, a versatile leader and obviously a noble spirit. Of
course, his biggest lifetime achievement has been that he was
admired by all, even by his hardcore critics, who never failed
to eulogise him on different occasions to narrate his lessons
of morals and essential goodness. Today he occupies as a
revered patriarch of almost all of his political party persons
and cadres and al so of the entire countrymen who mourn at
this tragic moment of his demise, cutting across party-lines,
caste, creed, religion or region or such other worldly divisions.
Yet many consider it an appropriate moment for his fi nal
journey from this world, given his decaying health conditions,
uncontrollable and unmanageable ailments retarding his
health recovery or any betterment of worsening condition
with each day passing.
Evidently, the gap that has emerged after his departure
from the world cannot be fulfi lled but his noble deeds and
immemorable contributions to the untiring service of the nation
as well as the entire humanity will always lighten the path to
safe and secure journey like a lighthouse in a huge ocean of
ignorance and utter helplessness. That also gives to all of us a
noble message to imitate and assimilate in ourselves to enact
into practice in our daily and routine cores which will certainly
yield towards creation of a new peaceful, just and equity-based
world devoid of all worldly evils like environmental pollution,
poverty, inequality, backwardness, crimes and terrorism and
religious fundamentalism and many more in the true spirit of
vasudhaiv kutumbakam. Though a dream - it can materialise
into reality as nothing is beyond human endeavour.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 8 • August 2018, Noida • 57