Dimapur, August 16 (MExN): Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away in New Delhi on August 16, after a prolonged illness. He was 93.
In Nagaland, the Governor PB Acharya, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio led the state in paying rich tribute to the departed leader.
The Nagaland Government also declared a seven-day mourning period from August 16-22, including a general public holiday on August 17, as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister.
A true Indian leader: Acharya
Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya expressed grief over the death of former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee. He was a Statesman, great human being, a poet at heart, an extraordinary orator and an outstanding parliamentarian. He personified a true Indian leader.
“I am fortunate and blessed as party worker to have close contact and had guidance for a long period of 20 years with Late Vajpayeeji. It was Late Ram Monohar Lohiya & Late Deen Dayal Upadhyay introduced the concept of ‘Sanvid’ and came to power in Uttar Pradesh. NDA united 22 non-congress parties and came to power in New Delhi defeating Congress under Atalji’s leadership in 2004,” Acharya recollected in the condolence message.
The Governor stated that during his Premiership, PV Narasimha Rao had requested Vajpayeeji, the Opposition Leader, as leader of the Indian delegation to the special session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, where a Pakistan-sponsored resolution to censure India on its human rights record in Jammu and Kashmir was successfully thwarted. For the first time in UNO, it was Atalji who introduced Hindi to address in UNO.
He was a member of the Indian Parliament for over four decades, being elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house, ten times, and twice to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house. He served as the Member of Parliament for Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh until 2009 when he retired from active politics due to health concerns. Vajpayee was among the founding members of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh which he also headed from 1968 to 1972. He was the Minister of External Affairs in the cabinet of Prime Minister Morarji Desai, during Janata Rule.
Atalji led the Janata Movement along with Jay Prakash Narayan who opposed Emergency by Smti Indira Gandhi and went to jail along with thousands.
He represented different constituencies in different elections and he could contest in any constituency because of his acceptance by the people throughout the country. When the Janata government collapsed, Vajpayee restructured the Jana Sangh into the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. He was fond of Indian music and loved Hindi Cinema. He loved nature and one of his favourite retreats was Kumarakam in Kerala and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
He was a renowned poet, and with regard to his poetry he wrote, "My poetry is a declaration of war, not an exordium to defeat. It is not the defeated soldier's drumbeat of despair, but the fighting warrior's will to win. It is not the dispirited voice of dejection but the stirring shout of victory."
“In his passing away, the Nation has lost a Statesman, a great human being, a poet, tall leader and above all a patriot,” Acharya stated.
“I on behalf of the people of Nagaland as Governor and on my own behalf, offer our homage to the great soul and condole his death. May the departed soul rest in peace,” conveyed the Governor of Nagaland.
Towering personality of modern India: Neiphiu Rio
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio has expressed deeply sadness to hear of the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee in New Delhi today. Late Vajpayee was a towering personality of modern India and will be remembered as one of the most popular Prime Ministers of the country.
“The people of Nagaland have a special place for the former PM in our hearts,” Rio said while mentioning that in October 2003, during his three-day visit to Nagaland, the then Prime Minister made a historic statement at Kohima, which was a defining moment in the relationship between Nagas and the rest of the country.
He stated that, “It is true that, of all the States in India, Nagaland has a unique history. We are sensitive to this historical fact". He further said, "We do not wish to impose any external customs on you. India has a long tradition of tolerating diverse customs and ways of life. You have nothing to fear". In the same address he said, “I wish to assure you on another score, India is a secular nation, both because of our Constitution and, more importantly, because of our civilizational ethos. As you know, India is home to all faiths in the world. India has respected and protected all faiths.”
On Nagaland, he stated, “There are many good things others should learn from Nagaland. For example, the practice of broad based debate and consensual decision making in your Naga Hohos is the very kernel of democracy. It deserves to be emulated at all levels, from the village level to the global level." "Yours is indeed a model for others to follow and Nagaland is a proud and honored member of the Indian family.”
“Such an approach and such reassuring statements won the hearts of the Naga people and greatly contributed towards taking the peace process forward,” Rio observed. He also had a serious concern for the development of Nagaland with the announcement of the Prime Minister's package for development of Nagaland and for empowerment of the youth. Prime Minister Vajpayee spent three days in Nagaland during his visit and interacted with all sections of the people late into every night.
“His visit is still remembered in a fond manner and I can say with confidence that late Vajpayee was largely responsible for making Nagas have trust and confidence with the rest of the country at a crucial juncture,” stated the CM in a condolence message.
Will be fondly remembered by Naga people: Patton
The Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton in a condolence message stated that it is with huge sadness that he conveys this condolence message at the demise of 3-time Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee on August 16 at AIIMS New Delhi.
Patton stated in the condolence message issued by the Media Cell stated that late Vajpayee won the hearts of the Nagas when he recognised the “unique history” of the Nagas during his visit to Kohima in October 2003. An outstanding parliamentarian, master orator, poet and a liberal, Vajpayee is also remembered for announcing special package for Nagaland and launching mobile services in the state. “Vajpayee will be fondly remembered by the Naga people,” he said.
His contribution to the BJP is immense and the party feels the deep void left by his demise and the vacuum created would be difficult to fill. “I join the nation in mourning the demise of a respected leader and pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.” he added.
A dear friend of the Naga people: NDPP
The NDPP stated that it is saddened by the demise of former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a veteran political leader, freedom fighter, statesman and an orator who passed away today at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
NDPP, President Chingwang Konyak in a condolence message stated that late Vajpayee’s illustrious journey as a poet, writer, and politician and as three-time Prime Minister of India culminated with the Nation’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna being conferred on him in 2015.
“A shrewd politician who minced no words, yet at the same time who behaved with impeccable discipline, giving respect and due regard to all adversaries, both inside and outside Parliament, won him the hearts of the entire Nation, the message stated.
Today, India mourns the passing of one of her tallest leaders, acknowledged by all sections of society and loved by a grateful Nation. His life inspired and impacted not only country men and women, but internationally; his legacy will continue to live through the footprints and benchmarks he leaves behind.
Late Vajpayee was a dear friend of the Naga people, who understood the uniqueness of our history and never hesitated to ensure that the Nagas were never left wanting. His demise is a loss for all Nagas, as we have lost a friend, a mentor and a leader, the leader added.
Chingwang on behalf of the NDPP and all its rank and file, deeply mourn his demise and expressed deepest condolences to the family. “With his passing, a void has been created which may never be filled again. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” the message concluded.
NSCN (IM) pays homage
The NSCN (IM) in a condolence message issued by its MIP has stated that it is deeply saddened to hear the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India. “He was a great leader who could understand the Nagas and committed to finding an honourable settlement of Naga problem. It was during his leadership the unique history and situation of the Nagas was officially recognized by the Government of India on July 11, 2002,” it stated.
“We pay our profound homage to the departed soul. He will be ever remembered for his valuable contribution towards resolving the political problem of the Nagas. It is indeed a great loss not only for India but also for Naga people and the world,” the MIP stated.
“May our Almighty God grant eternal rest to the departed soul and give solace to the bereaved family!,” the message prayed.
BJYM Nagaland mourns
Meanwhile, the State BJYM President, Benjamin Yeputhomi and party members have expressed sadness over the demise of great hero of Indian political arena, a great political thinker, who never reacted sharply on his critical political opponents, who never tired of serving the great nation ultimately bid adieu to this bereaved nation and BJP Family, the biggest political party in the world. BJYM Nagaland State in a press release stated that all the party workers are saddened over the demise of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the party extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
