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5 times Atal Bihari Vajpayee left us speechless with his wit and humour

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an orator par excellence. His speeches are still referred to, even years after he retired from active political life

• By: News Desk |
• December 25, 2016 4:10 pm

Like him or hate him, but you cannot deny how good an orator he is. Whenever Atal Bihari Vajpayee got onto the stage, he was not just some other speaker. His words were heard and acknowledged even by his opponents. A wordsmith, as he is often called, could play with words. The feisty leader said what he felt but always maintained the dignity and measured each and every word he spoke.

Cheers and applauds were not a one-off thing during his speeches. His comments and satires are often recalled by all, both within the political circle and outside. There would hardly be anyone who has heard his speeches and does not remember his ‘ye achi baat nahi hai’ style.

On his 92nd birthday, we recall some of the statements he made, which make us realise why we remember him as one of the greatest orators after Independence.

Have a look: 

• Known for his bold decisions, he often spoke about the vision that he had for India: an India free of hunger and fear, an India free of illiteracy and want.

• He was widely appreciated for the bus journey to Pakistan in February 1999 which was said to have started a new era of negotiations to resolve the issues of the sub-continent.

• Even his Bharat Ratna citation highlighted his efforts to improve relations with Pakistan.

• However, Pakistan turned out to be a backstabber India got Kargil war in return of the bus trip. But Vajpayee was hailed for the manner in which he led the country to war.

• Despite severe opposition that he had to face, he gave a go ahead to the Pokhran Nuclear Test, making India the sixth country to join the nuclear club.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an orator par excellence. His speeches are still referred to, even years after he retired from active political life.