क़दम मिला कर चलना होगा : अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी

बाधाएँ आती हैं आएँ
घिरें प्रलय की घोर घटाएँ,
पावों के नीचे अंगारे,
सिर पर बरसें यदि ज्वालाएँ,
निज हाथों में हँसते-हँसते,
आग लगाकर जलना होगा।
क़दम मिलाकर चलना होगा।

हास्य-रूदन में, तूफ़ानों में,
अगर असंख्यक बलिदानों में,
उद्यानों में, वीरानों में,
अपमानों में, सम्मानों में,
उन्नत मस्तक, उभरा सीना,
पीड़ाओं में पलना होगा।
क़दम मिलाकर चलना होगा।

उजियारे में, अंधकार में,
कल कहार में, बीच धार में,
घोर घृणा में, पूत प्यार में,
क्षणिक जीत में, दीर्घ हार में,
जीवन के शत-शत आकर्षक,
अरमानों को ढलना होगा।
क़दम मिलाकर चलना होगा।

सम्मुख फैला अगर ध्येय पथ,
प्रगति चिरंतन कैसा इति अब,
सुस्मित हर्षित कैसा श्रम श्लथ,
असफल, सफल समान मनोरथ,
सब कुछ देकर कुछ न मांगते,
पावस बनकर ढ़लना होगा।
क़दम मिलाकर चलना होगा।

कुछ काँटों से सज्जित जीवन,
प्रखर प्यार से वंचित यौवन,
नीरवता से मुखरित मधुबन,
परहित अर्पित अपना तन-मन,
जीवन को शत-शत आहुति में,
जलना होगा, गलना होगा।
क़दम मिलाकर चलना होगा।

A matchless statement after Nuclear Tests in 1998

"We do not want to cover our action with a veil of needless ambiguity. India is now a nuclear weapons state. We have the capacity for a big bomb now, for which a necessary command-and-control system is also in place. Ours will never be weapons of aggression."

This statement made by Vajpayee was carefully articulated by Mr. Vajpayee himself. For Vajpayee there needs no speech maker. He is the artful speech breaker of his enemies. This declaration seems very straightforward. Everyone, except a diplomat will agree with this. Vajpayee hit two targets with one arrow i.e this statement. On one hand, he warned the whole world that India is no longer a third world country which can be subjected to any pressure. He made this point because Clinton administration was enraged with Nuclear tests and so were Japan and other countries and put tremendous pressure not to do so all the time after 1974. He wanted to express the fact that India is now self confident in developing nuclear weapons. They had the right machinery and intelligence. On the other hand, to ensure that the world understands that India's purpose of testing nuclear weapon was only for its security and not to attack anyone, he made the last part -"Ours will never be weapons of aggression". 

This art of speaking has been found only in 3 people post Independent India - Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi and Mr. Vajpayee himself.

Although this statement and announcement did not alleviate world leaders' worry and India could not escape sanctions, it made sure that the world doesn't conclude that India was on a nuclear war with Pakistan. This is like "Dushman kamzor samhaj kar aakraman na kare aur yeh bhi samjhe ki hum shanti chahte hain". He was in one way cautioning China not to think it was easy to take over India (post 1962 China has been treating India very lightly in nuclear strength).

I fail to find any other short and simple speech as the above one enough to bring the world to jitters and yet keep everyone calm. When specifically asked about sanctions from the US, he made another matchless speech:

''India has the sanction of her own past glory and future vision to become strong. Some of the countries which have talked of sanctions, or have otherwise criticized our action, have themselves not only conducted far more nuclear tests than we have done, but they have also built huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Many of them are enjoying the shade provided by somebody else's nuclear umbrella.''

"I would like to assure the people of the world, especially in our part of the world, that there is no cause for worry at all, much less any alarm, on account of India's action. All that India has done is conduct five nuclear tests. You place this fact in the context of the hundreds of nuclear tests that have been carried out by several countries so far, and it becomes obvious that India's action does not in the least warrant consideration of worst-case scenarios.''

''India has never considered military might as the ultimate measure of national strength. The tests are a necessary component of overall national strength. I would, therefore, say that the greatest meaning of the tests is they have given India shakti, they have given India strength, they have given India self-confidence.''

''The cause of India going nuclear is a stark regional and global reality. The world knows the truth about the progress -- or rather, the lack of it -- made by the nuclear powers in the direction of nuclear disarmament. The world community should appreciate the fact that India, the second most-populous country on earth, waited for five decades before taking this step.''

ठन गई! मौत से ठन गई! - Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji Poem

ठन गई! मौत से ठन गई!

जूझने का मेरा इरादा न था,
मोड़ पर मिलेंगे इसका वादा न था,
रास्ता रोक कर वह खड़ी हो गई
यों लगा ज़िन्दगी से बड़ी हो गई।

मौत की उमर क्या है?
दो पल भी नहीं,
ज़िन्दगी सिलसिला, आज कल की नहीं।


मैं जी भर जिया, मैं मन से मरूँ,
लौटकर आऊँगा, कूच से क्यों डरूँ?
तू दबे पाँव, चोरी-छिपे से न आ,
सामने वार कर फिर मुझे आज़मा।

मौत से बेख़बर, ज़िन्दगी का सफ़र,
शाम हर सुरमई, रात बंसी का स्वर।
बात ऐसी नहीं कि कोई ग़म ही नहीं,
दर्द अपने-पराए कुछ कम भी नहीं।

प्यार इतना परायों से मुझको मिला
न अपनों से बाक़ी हैं कोई गिला।
हर चुनौती से दो हाथ मैंने किये,
आंधियों में जलाए हैं बुझते दिए।

आज झकझोरता तेज़ तूफ़ान है,
नाव भँवरों की बाँहों में मेहमान है।
पार पाने का क़ायम मगर हौसला,
देख तेवर तूफ़ाँ का, तेवरी तन गई।
मौत से ठन गई।

- माननीय पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी की कविता

Clinton's wrath defeated by Vajpayee's warmth

Post Nuclear tests in May 1998, Clinton administration was very enraged. Firstly, because they could not detect it before the actual test. Secondly, they were worried that South Asia had reached a nuclear flashpoint. The only way Clinton could have taught a lesson to us was by way of imposing economic sanctions and snap all kinds of aid to us. In fact, he did this. He in fact declared that he will heavily come upon India like a ton of bricks. He also went as far as joining hands with Boris Yelstin (Russia) and China and teach India a lesson. His pace was cut down slowly by Strobe Talbott. However, Vajpayee knew such a step would be taken by US even before the Nuclear test. He fully knew the consequences of the Nuclear test. The trump card Vajpayee used now was Jaswant Singh. He saw in Jaswant Singh the qualities of a stateman like himself. He immediatley asked him to meet the US counterparts and explain the case before them. 14 rounds of talks in 7 countries in 3 continents between Strobe Talbott and Jaswant changed the Indo-US equation forever. Jaswant Singh in his first statement with American counterparts told he had come for a dialog and not negotiation. He said under any circumstances India will not go back as far as nuclear tests are concerned. Jaswant did not go as a beggar. Neither did he speak in a submissive language. He was confident and made a sharp point that India will not negotiate its security interests under any pressure. He did a smart talk of doing smart business with US keeping India's interests on the top of everything. 

A business and shrewd mindset oriented American diplomats are no easy people to mess around with. If one can convince them, one is genius. Vajpayee knew that he needed US in India's favor so that US policy on India changes. He had strategically calculated that if US doesn't do any good for India, it should not do any good to Pakistan. For 50 years secretly, US helped Pakistan in all possible ways to counter India and Kashmir issue. Now, Vajpayee had to turn the tables in India's favor. Sensing this as an excellent opportunity, Vajpayee chose Jaswant Singh. What happened behind the doors is revealed in 2 major books sources of which I have not revealed here. 

But I have given below two links which prove - India achieved more than the US by these talks further proving that Vajpayee scored the biggest ever diplomatic victory by convincing US at the time when US was so enraged and had imposed sanctions. In fact, Strobe Talbott wanted India to give a chance, while Clinton was not ready to listen. Credit very much goes to Strobe Talbott who convinced Clinton that favoring India is in US interest. The result was a dramatic U turn in world diplomacy. Clinton arriving in India, addressing everyone in the Central Hall, jointly agreeing to be long term partners etc. This enabled US to see us as a long standing ally and economic partner. The long term consequence of all these is that today US wants to outbeat Russia in helping India in arms and ammunition (No doubts, US companies will benefit from this, but US doesn't trade with any damn country).

1. http://hrd.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/21inter.htm
2. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FG27Df04.html

What is so amazing is how Mr.Vajpayee handled the whole situation. Nobody has the guts to match him in this initiative he took. Imagine what would have happened if he did not take this step? US would have imposed severe sanctions. Forced India to sign CTBT and NPT. India would have ended up in an economic mess. There could have been several more dangerous consequences. However, India's fate was fortunate enough to have Mr. Vajpayee as the PM at that dark hour as a shield. Also, note that India did not sign CTBT or NPT and yet ended up as very good friend with the US despite the bad turn of events ("bad" in US perspective before talks were held)

It is astonishing that just when the relationships reached its nadir, Vajpayee converted it into a pinnacle point. It was a victory to his diplomatic brains which were reflected in Jaswant's talks.
Jaswant Singh made one point very clearly that India faced lot of dangers from China and Pakistan. Also, he convinced with all evidences, facts and information from all intelligent sources that Pakistan was doing everything possible to ensure terrorism spreads everywhere. He also proved that India always has maintained and followed nuclear deterrent and conducting tests was a way of showing deadly neighbors that we are strong enough to tackle them.

Imagine that US turned from hostility to friendship. Friendship in such a way that Mr. Clinton personally took interest in coming to India. A sea change happened for the better of India. Be it self interest, better business opportunity or making US pro India, Vajpayee did what no one could do in 50 years and all in a span of some months. What made Clinton personally take this drastic step? The biggest blunder done by Pak army in crossing LoC and attacking Kargil. Clinton shouted at Nawaz Shariff and blackmailed him that he would expose Pakistan and tell the world that Pakistan is behind terrorism. In fact Shariff got so perplexed that he asked Clinton not to do so. Clinton said -"I or India will not come under the blackmail done by you. Ask your forces to immediately withdraw from Kargil". Can you imagine these strong statements from Clinton himself. This means that he was convinced by Jaswant Singh about India's position and the need for India going nuclear. He found a legitimate reason in India conducting nuclear tests. This is evident from Clinton's speech to Parliament in India where he clearly states " US understands India's security constraints and therefore the need for your nuclear test". Do you think a statesman, in fact most influential person in the world at that time - Bill Clinton would have spoken like this? It was possible only because of Jaswant singh and Vajpayee. Kudos to Mr.Vajpayee!!!

In this aspect, I don't think even Indira Gandhi would have been able to do this diplomatic act. She didn't have the warmth which Vajpayee had. Vajpayee had carefully chosen a team of 3 people - Jaswant, Brajesh Mishra and Advani. Only these 3 apart from him knew all that had to be talked. It is not easy to even perceive that 14 rounds of talks were even possible. US would have allowed it only when they saw a lot of sense in what Jaswant might be talking. In fact, Strobe Talbott's appreciation of Jaswant is very much available on the links I provided above. He in fact has called Jaswant Singh a "HERO" and was impressed by his statesmanship.

Thus, Clinton's wrath was met by Vajpayee's warmth. Clinton who had almost decided to punish India made a dramatic U-turn and blessed India with a friendship that is strategically more important to India than the US. This was possible only because of VAJPAYEE.....Jai ho Vajpayee ji ki...

Vajpayee talks in Parliament in 1961 about Civil Code - A very interesting and valid point

Mr. Vajpayee in 1961 raised a very important issue regarding discrimination of marriage laws in the country. Mr Vajpayee speech about this as below:

"Constitution says there should be a common civil code. Why then is a separate law made for marriage for Hindus and Muslims? Should marriage laws be different for each community? Is bigamy bad in Hinduism and good for Islam? How can a rule be applicable to one and not to the other? The Government recently set up a commission inquiring into misuse of Hindus temples and mutts. I welcome it, but do you think churches and mosques are not misused? Why no law has been brought in for this? When a state is concerned, everyone is the same"
Although the liberal attitude of Vajpayee is clearly visible and also the discrimination made while framing laws for one religion and not the other is sharply evident, I regret to tell that when Vajpayee was in power, he did not take any action to solve this problem of non-uniform civil code. However, what needs to be understood is the Congress party was following minority appeasement politics even in 1960's. In fact, one of the ministers at the same time was proposing reservation for government jobs on the basis of religion. Vajpayee sternly rejected it and said "That minister must resign because he did not believe in a secular democracy. A person selected on the basis of communal grounds and not on merit will spread communalism and how then can National spirit grow in the country? If Hindus become communal, then they should be opposed. Communalism of any religion should not be tolerated. Will you ask a candidate his religion before giving his job? We can understand reservation for Harijans and tribals as they are economically backward and socially discriminated against. I cannot find any logic on reservation on religious grounds"
I appreciate on the other hand that when BJP was in power it did not practice the idea of Reservation on religious lines as much as the so called "SECULAR, LIBERAL Congress is practicing". Mr. Vajpayee was against reservation even at that time in 1961 and also when he was PM. I fail to understand how an economist like Manmohan Singh supported the idea of reservation on religious lines. All for vote bank politics. If BJP did vote bank politics only once (1992 Rath Yatra), Congress has been doing it every time and will continue to do so. They have been eroding the fabric of secularism every time by stabbing one against the other. In reality neither Hindus nor Muslims have benefited as far as social fabric is concerned from the Congress.
The speech clearly exposes the biased and communal agenda followed by the Congress Govt since 1950's. Even today there is no national law for Muslims as far as marriage is concerned. It deeply disturbs me as a nation that we don't have a common law even for marriage in our system? The fine point is Vajpayee raising the issue of misuse of churches and mosques and not just Hindu temples. This is the answer to all those who even attempt to call Vajpayee a communal.

Vajpayee popularity more than Indira Gandhi

India's voters denied Atal Bihari Vajpayee a second consecutive five-year term as prime minister in 2004,  but his popularity has only increased since he left office. In our January 2013 poll, for the first time,  Vajpayee has overtaken Indira Gandhi as the most preferred Indian prime minister of all time.  The outcome is somewhat counter-intuitive. India is passing through a phase of very weak national leadership across the political spectrum. In such a context, the strong and decisive Indira Gandhi would  have been an obvious favourite from the past. But respondents have chosen the genial and conciliatory Vajpayee. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Perhaps a nation in crisis is looking for a man of stature and a man of consensus to taper over the several political faultiness that have paralysed governance. Vajpayee, after all, ran a giant, inclusive 22-party coalition for six years with considerably greater ease than Manmohan Singh or Sonia Gandhi has managed (with fewer allies) in either UPA 1 or UPA 2. For the UPA, coalition politics is only a ruse to justify various acts of misgovernance. Vajpayee's NDA, on the other hand, pushed through several tough reforms which in fact benefited UPA 1 by delivering rapid growth. In an era which is likely to be defined by coalition politics and not single-party rule, a leader needs to carry different voices with him or her, something Indira Gandhi may not have  managed had she not led a single-party government. What also goes in Vajpayee's favour was his ability to rise above the narrow interests of either BJP or RSS. Much like Indira Gandhi, he was larger than the party he belonged to. Importantly, his geniality was never a mask for unprincipled compromise. His leadership style has several lessons for aspirants in both BJP and Congress. BJP 's frontrunner Narendra Modi must learn from Vajpayee the art of inclusive politics and the value of humility in public life. Rahul Gandhi, the frontrunner for Congress, must learn the skills of treating allies as equal partners, not inconvenient subordinates.