I am a very head strong person and when I supposedly like a person I almost worship them and when I hate someone it is another extreme. If you have read my blog you would know about the few people that I Love to bits! But there is one person whom I always Idol worshiped but seldom talked about.
Yes, as the title suggests I am talking about Atal Bihari Vajpayee; beyond idolising him & loving his poetry there is a very special connection that I have with him. We share our Birthdays :)
My fascination for him began in my college days. When I was doing my graduation from Banasthali Vidyapeeth when Atalji was at his political pinnacle. I idolized him to an extent that I had his poster and poems written by him stuck on my cupboard. Many of my hostel mates thought I was weird because for someone of my age to idolise a politician was not normal. Add to that, I had a collage of Salman Khan on my wall and Atalji on my cupboard. Ya I know incomparable but well....somethings are beyond logic.
I remember this morning very vividly when a girl came rushing to my room shouting "Smita Warden Ma'am is calling you". To get a call from our very strict and scary warden was never a good news. Though I rushed to meet her but my mind was in rewind mode thinking of all the pranks that I had played in last few days and for which I could get an hiding.
When I met the warden she was having her tea and she looked at me and smiled. I took a deep breath, thanked God (because her smile meant that at least I was not getting scolded) and then wished her morning. She said, "Congratulations, Your Vajpayeeji has won the election and will now be the PM and here is some sweet for you." I was on cloud nine when I heard that and remained there for a week.
Yes, my love for him was known across the hostel and one girl even gifted me a picture of hers with Atalji though that was more towards making me jealous. I still have that picture saved somewhere.
Today, when I read about his ill health and I know the inevitable news I had tears in my eyes and I can't explain the sadness that I have in my heart. It is like an era is threatening to end; it feels like a personal loss. But a glimmer of hope still persists and prayers are on the top of my mind and heart.
