The first time I saw Sh. Atal Behari Vajpayee was speaking at a public rally on the ground of a Hindu temple in Jammu. That was way back in late 50's or early '60s. I was still a kid but mature enough to understand a bit of politics with interest. The long speech was interesting and entertaining with lots of wits which really impressed me with his oratory and thoughts. And I became an admirer of him till the time I realized that he belonged to the party which did not match up with my own political thinking of being left of the center, respect and equal opportunities for the minorities, and all that related to socialist ideologies.
Moving forward, as a working journalist I had the opportunity to meet
him in Vancouver in mid 80's when he was the foreign minister in some
coalition government. This time he again impressed me, but for a
different reason. And that was his passionate spirit of nationalism or
patriotism to speak for the interest of his country on foreign soil. His
style was simple and friendly, but poor in expression, perhaps he was
not comfortable speaking in English.
Those were my two personal encounters with Late Vajpayee. But being in the news business, following him was natural because of his towering status in the politics of modern India. My overall impression is that Sh. Vajpayee was a gentleman politician, not much sophisticated in political ideologies as well as in intellectual contribution as a popular public figure commanding utmost respect.
-Promod Puri.
Those were my two personal encounters with Late Vajpayee. But being in the news business, following him was natural because of his towering status in the politics of modern India. My overall impression is that Sh. Vajpayee was a gentleman politician, not much sophisticated in political ideologies as well as in intellectual contribution as a popular public figure commanding utmost respect.
-Promod Puri.
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