Reciting the mantra “DAL ME ATAL, DIL ME ATAL” all parties come together to give tribute to Vajpayeeji

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An all-party prayer meeting for former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was held in New Delhi at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium at 4 PM on 21 August, 2018. It was attended by leaders from BJP, Congress, DMK, AIADMK, SP, TMC and other different political parties and prominent citizens.

During the meeting, the PM Shri Narendra Modi paid his tributes to Atalji in his address. He said that how long our life is, is not in our hands, but we can determine ‘how’ our life will be. He said that Atal ji showed through his life, how life should be, and what its purpose should be. Atal ji lived each moment for the common man. Right from youth till the time the physical body supported him, he lived for the country, the Prime Minister added. He said Atal ji lived for the countrymen, for his principles, and for the aspirations of the common man.

Shri Narendra Modi said that Vajpayee ji respected Parliamentary traditions; and when the opportunity came, he implemented his vision for the benefit of the people.

In each moment you could feel the “Atal” in him, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister recalled that on May 11, 1998, he surprised the world through the nuclear tests. He attributed the success of these tests, to the skill of our scientists. And despite the widespread adverse reaction globally, Atal ji did not buckle under pressure, and showed the world that India is “Atal,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that Vajpayee ji changed the global narrative on Kashmir. He highlighted the issue of terrorism, and brought it to the center stage, globally.

Shri Modi said that Atal ji shall remain an inspiration. He was away from public life and politics for over a decade; and yet there was such an outpouring of emotion at his passing. This shows his greatness.

BJP National President Shri Amit Shah said Atal ji had a multifaceted personality. Besides being an ‘ajatshatru’ he was a great poet, journalist and politician who never let the party deviate from the path of its ideology.

Shri LK Advani said, “Iconsider myself fortunate that my friendship with Atal ji lasted for 65 years during which I watched him closely. Working together, we shared our experiences, watched films together and read books together”.

Atal ji’s words and his life…be it someone who watched him closely or saw him from far away, everyone found him to be the same & believed in him said RSS Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat.

Even after his death he has brought us together in one room, which is great. When I was a minister & he was leader of opposition, we used to have lunch & tea in each others office said GN Azad of Congress.

Wo Wazire-e-Azam nahi Hindustan ke dilon ke maalik they. He was large-hearted. No one had a heart like him: Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah said. Shri Abdullah ends his speech with loud chanting of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Hind’.

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti said, “ Atalji was a great human being but for the people of J&K he was not less than a Messiah. He was the first Indian leader who trusted the people of J&K and whom the people trusted.

TMC leader Derek O’Brien said, “There are many communities around the world, when someone passes away they always write RIP which means ‘Rest in Peace’ but maybe after 16th Aug 2018 RIP for this great man will mean ‘Really Incredible Person’”
BSP leader S Mishra said, “Although he was poetic and generous at heart, he took strong decisions,like nuclear test and Kargil war for nation.He was loved&respected by ruling party as well as opposition.We need to follow his principles.

Sharad Yadav said Atalji led an absolutely unblemished life. He had a unique style. He never worried about food, lifestyle or any other thing. I pay my tributes to such a man full of love and humanity.

Tribute of Eminent Citizens

A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM: Pranab Mukherjee

Describing Vajpayee as “a reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM,” former president Pranab Mukherjee sent his condolences on Twitter. “Atal Ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences,” wrote Mukherjee.

His death leaves behind a huge void: Sonia Gandhi

I’m deeply saddened by the passing away of #AtalBihariVajpayee. Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life.Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values & demonstrated this commitment in all his acts whether as a parliamentarian,a cabinet minister or PM.
His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life. His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul.

India has lost the most admired and respected ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of public life: Ch Vidyasagar Rao

Maharashtra Governor Shri Ch Vidyasagar Rao mourned the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee referring him as India’s most admired and respected ‘Bhishma Pitamah’.
Reminiscing Vajpayee’s oratory skills and his poetry, Rao added, “In his demise, India has lost the most admired and respected ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of public life; while I have lost my dearest leader.”
He called Vajpayee as his “idol” and main inpiration to enter into public life.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expresses grief

Counting traits of Vajpayeeji Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says, “the nation has lost, in his demise, a towering political personality, a brilliant orator, poet, writer and thinker…..his personality earned him the respect of all, beyond political divides”.

CM Mamata Banerjee expresses her sorrow

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee expresses her grief and says, “Very very saddened that the great statesman and former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us. His passing away is a very big loss to our nation. I will always cherish the many fond memories. Condolences to his family and his many admirers.”

Ratan Tata admires Vajpayee’s ‘great sense of compassion and humour’
Chairman of Tata Trusts Ratan Tata expresses his sorrow over the demise of Vajpayee and says, “All of us who knew Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee are saddened to hear of his passing away. He was a great leader with a great sense of compassion and humour. He will be remembered fondly by a vast number of us.”

@Sachin Tendulkar

India is at a great loss today. Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee ji’s contributions to our nation have been innumerable. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.

@SGanguly99

Bharat loses its gleaming Ratna… may his soul rest in peace.

.                                               Messages From Foreign Countries

 

Vajpayee’s demise sent shockwaves across India as well as other parts of the world : US

The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee’s passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayer. His demise sent shockwaves across India as well as other parts of the world. Tributes are pouring in for Vajpayee from other parts of the world as well. The country grieved with India on the loss of the former prime minister. “He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement.

Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on India’s history: France

France statement on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death: Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on India’s history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united our two countries since 1998.

He was our friend & highly respected in Bangladesh: PM Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expresses her heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the government, people and Vajpayee’s family members. In remembrance of the former PM , Hasina calls Vajpayee her friend and recalls his invaluable contribution to the Liberation War in 1971 and how the Bangladesh government had conferred on him the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour.

An eloquent supporter of Tibetan people and a friend: Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has condoled the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he was an “eloquent” supporter of the Tibetan people and a “friend”. In a letter to Vajpayee’s foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya, the Dalai Lama said with his passing away, India has lost an eminent national leader.

Pakistan government mourns Vajpayee’s demise

Pakistan government mourns Vajpayee’s death and recalls his contributions in bringing a change in Indo-Pak relations. We have learnt with sadness the passing away of #AtalBihariVajpayee former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. He was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in Indo-Pak relations&remained key supporter of SAARC & regional cooperation for development. Pakistan Govt & people extend their heartfelt condolences to his family & to Govt & people of India.
“We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan,” says Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar.

.                                                       Tribute of Leaders From Other Parties

 

@Dr. Manmohan Singh

The BJP stalwart Shri Vajpayee was a great patriot and among modern India’s tallest leaders who spent his whole life serving the country.

@Mohd Hamid Ansari

#AtalBihariVajpayee was an eminent statesman known for his wisdom moderation intact. His way of communication was unique & made him extremely popular. This kind of a person comes once in a blue moon. He will be remembered for a long time: Former Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari.

@RahulGandhi

Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him. #AtalBihariVajpayee.

@PawarSpeaks

With the sad demise of Bharatratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, We have lost a great soul, an eloquent poet, orator par excellence, an excellent human being and one of the greatest Parliamentarians of India. His passing away is a personal loss, having spent numerous years in our parliamentary life together, and an irreparable loss to our country. I pray eternal peace for his departed soul.

@MamataOfficial

Very very saddened that the great statesman and former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us. His passing away is a very big loss to our nation. I will always cherish the many fond memories. Condolences to his family and his many admirers.

@Sitaram Yechury

CPI leader Sitaram Yechury in his condolences message said that “though we opposed each other vehemently on political & ideological issues Atal Behari Vajpayee ji’s good-nature, decency and willingness to engage with all political leaders always made him stand out. Condolences.”

@mkstalin

On behalf of the DMK, I paid my last respects to the former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee in New Delhi. We join our fellow Indians in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.

@Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Vajpayee as a great parliamentarian, orator and a diplomat who ably presented India’s rights in international platforms.

@Kerala Governor P Sathasivam

“With the loftiest ideals of statecraft, the noblest sense of diplomacy and a masterfully poetic oratory, he was a perfect synthesis of sage-like wisdom and modernism. May his soul rest in peace.”

@Naveen Patnaik

We are all deeply grieved by the sad demise of Vajpayee ji. He was one of the tallest leaders of India. He was loved by the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace:#AtalBihariVajpayee.

@N Chandrababu Naidu

We have lost one of the greatest visionaries the nation has seen, on this unfortunate day. The beloved former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji will continue to inspire us and the generations to come. May he rest in peace.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ashes immersed in Ganga at Haridwar

People from across Uttarakhand and neighbouring states thronged Haridwar to witness ashes immersion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Ganga. Every street, through which the Army vehicle carrying the ashes passed, was jam-packed.

Ashes were first put up at city’s Bhalla college, where BJP Shri National President Amit Shah, Union home affairs minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Haridwar MP Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, eight cabinet ministers of Uttarakhand along with dozens of legislators, parliamentarians from UP-UK-Himachal Pradesh-Haryana offered floral tributes.

On a three kilometer route, ashes procession was carried till Har-Ki-Pauri, where people thronged in large numbers to pay their tributes. Namita, foster daughter of Shri Vajpayee, her husband Ranjan Bhattacharya and daughter Niharika brought the ashes in silver pitcher and immersed the ashes in Ganga. The ashes immersion of Shri Vajpayee Ji was performed as per Hindu rituals.

BJP will organize “Atal Kalash Yatra” to immerse Atalji’s Ashes in rivers across India

PM Shri Narendra Modi and BJP National President Shri Amit Shah handed over urns wrapped in red cloth with Shri Vajpayee’s ashes to state BJP Presidents at an event organized on 22 August, 2018 in New Delhi. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya was present on stage as the urns were handed over.

Respecting the sentiments of millions of followers of the former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his ashes will be immersed in rivers across the country. The BJP state organizations have been tasked with the job of organizing Yatras or processions and condolence meets before the urns are taken to rivers for immersion of the ashes.

The party has asked all its ministers and representatives to participate in the Kalash Yatraevents in their states.