5 Life lessons to Learn from Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Life lessons from Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Politics is of great value in a country like India, it is characterized by strong likes and dislikes of people. Some harsh decisions have to be taken even by the most beloved politicians, as criticism on social subjects and the outcomes of their decisions spread rapidly around the globe. All the actions of these leaders are not covered by the media because of confidentiality, and the power they exercise can backfire at them anytime if not handled carefully through Internet trolls, media, news, and other means.

The Great leader, Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a politician from the current majority holding, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) who led his group in a very crucial time when the opposition was in power. In his approach, he was more pragmatic about the country’s welfare. The best thing about him was he even respected his political opponents. It set a benchmark in the history of Indian politics showing the true spirit of the real politician in him. Around him, the BJP redefined its image in the Indian economy, set a motto and improved the work ethics of the party as a whole.

Vajpayee encouraged people’s views and fellow politicians to work for the betterment of society, he could manage contradictions very easily and maintaining the decency of public speeches. His social and political works were beyond the scope of power controlled by the leading party at that time, which have proved to be valuable lessons.

• Believing in one’s Conscience

Atal Ji taught everybody to believe in their own conscience, with so much strength that they will never get the urge to reiterate from their beliefs. He believed that people’s belief should be accustomed to themselves and should not be imposed on others forcefully by repetitions and demonstrations. Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself believed in the principle of Hindu Religion, but he never felt the need to prove it to anyone. He carried all his duties towards his party very diligently. Even after losing his mentor at an early stage of his political career, he believed in the power of an individual and continued to work on his own based on his beliefs.

• Optimistic Outlook of the World

Politics have now become a hyperactive competition among the opposing leaders, rather than serving the nation and its people. Vajpayee’s outlook was always seeing a bigger picture. Even being in the opposition party he didn’t let this fact hamper his contribution towards the welfare of the nation. He always kept the nation’s tradition and its domestic needs above everything else. In the present time, working for a good cause has become just a notion, which is evident from the frequent conflicts seen in Parliament.

• Gratitude showing Nature

One of the qualities of a great leader is that he is open to criticism and differences in opinions, Vajpayee possessed the same qualities, he possessed the ability to tolerate even if views were presented in the worst-case scenario. He respected everyone and showed gratitude towards the fellow politicians which made him stand different from everybody else. Whenever he found he was on the wrong side, he gladly accepted his mistakes, which made him a better person above all.

• Patience and Perseverance leads to Success

Whenever life showed him reasons to give up, he held himself patiently and worked hard to achieve success. Perseverance turns a politician into a leader, it does not let failure weigh him down. When BJP was reduced to a party with two seats in 1984 elections, he accepted defeat. Later he worked hard and in 1995, he became the BJP’s Ministerial Candidate.

• Taking the Practical Approach

It is evident that people will have a difference in viewpoints. They have strong likes and dislikes on some ideas in which they strongly believe in. They could not stand any criticism against it. He didn’t let his emotions get the best of him. He believed that only his teachings may not equally benefit society. So he was open to suggestions of everyone.  He had the ability to be civil and humans in talk and action both.

Atal Bihari was a Politician and poet who served as PMO thrice from 1996 to 2004. His major achievements were:

• Making India a Nuclear Power
• Peace Treaty with Pakistan
• Victory in Kargil War, 1999
• Creation of Defense Intelligence Unit
• Border Management Department
• Elections in Jammu & Kashmir
• National Highway Development Project
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
• Creation of Ministry of Tribal affairs
• Department of North East Region
• Ministry of Social Justice

He believed that India should be a secular nation and every day he thrived for making India truly Secular. He said, “Victory and defeat are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity”. These are some lessons which can motivate every student of today to do better for the nation tomorrow.