India needs more leaders of the quality, modesty and skills of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In the history of Indian politics, there have been very few towering personalities like him. In his era, he was easily head and shoulders above the rest in various aspects. The best quality about him was his calm, unassuming, easy going nature for which he was liked not only by members of his party but by opposition as well. He may have had many political opponents in his long and illustrious career but one thing is certain, he had hardly any foes. Today's political leaders need to learn a lot from Vajpayee who never took his politics to a personal level. He disagreed with his opponents on ideology and principles but never brought hate into his politics.
"Indian democracy's greatest strength is that we have always put the nation above politics", he had once said. He never hesitated to praise his political opponents. He praised Indira for the green revolution and for her leadership during the 1971 Bangladesh war. He shared an excellent rapport and bond with another great PM, P.V. Narsimha Rao, who was his close friend. The former Prime Minister will go down in history as one of the most charismatic, moderate & liberal leaders of post independence India, a poet with great oratory skills with a unique quality to be loved by all. India shouldn't mourn leaders like Vajpayee who are a cut above the rest. The Nation must instead celebrate him and follow his ideals and principles which will be a real befitting tribute. - warm regards Sandeep Heble
