I've been observing Atal Ji very closely for last 25-30 years, as a person, politician and as the head of the Union Government. He is a living legend who nurtured so many leaders and unleashed a new era of development as PM. Based on my close encounters with Atalji, here are some known-unknown facets of Atalji’s personality:
Name: Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Father: Late Shri Krishan Bihari Vajpayee
Mother: Late Smt. Krishna Devi
Native: Bateshwar
Birth Place: Gwalior
Brothers/Sisters: 4 brothers and 3 sisters
Who inspired the most: My father, Guruji (Guru Golvalkarji), Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyayji, Shri Bhau Rao Deoras (RSS)
Unforgetable Moment: When he delivered first speech in Hindi at the UN General Assembly
Better Moment: When slapped by a teacher for being naughty in the 5th class.
Behind the success: Destiny (‘Bhagya’)
Why remained bachelor: Didn’t find time.
Most thrilling moment: When called by the President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma to form the government, despite being in minority.
Most agonizing moment: When lost by one vote in Lok Sabha.
What angers you: When success eludes.
Saddest moment: When Deen Dayalji expired.
What do you miss the most: A life without responsibility (‘Fakkadpan’)
Closest friends: Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Shri L.K. Advani, Appa (N.M.) Ghatate, Shri Jaswant Singh, Dr. Mukund Modi, Shri Shiv Kumar
Favourite leader: Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
Favourite Authors: Sharat Chandra, Prem Chand
Favourite Poets: Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Ramanath Awasthi, Dr. Shiv Mangal Singh Suman, Surya Kant Tripathi ‘Nirala’, Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen, Jagannath Prasad Milind (in Hindi) and Faiz Ahmed Faiz (in Urdu).
Favourite classical artists: Bhim Sen Joshi, Amjad Ali Khan, Hari Prasad, Chaurasia.
Favourite singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, S. D. Burman
Favourite musician: Sachin Dev Burman
Favourite movie actors: Sanjeev Kumar, Dilip Kumar
Favourite Actresses: Suchitra Sen, Rakhi, Nutan
Favourite Journalist: Many
Favourite cuisine: ‘Khichdi’, ‘Poori-kachori’, ‘Dahi-pakori’, ‘Parantha’, ‘Kheer’, ‘Malpua’, ‘Kachauri’, ‘Mangouri’
Special hobby: Cooking, when he stayed with his father in the hostel, he use to cook food for him as his father never liked outside eatable. Favorite dishes were ‘Moong ki daal’, ‘Urad ki daal’, Tauri, Tinde, Lauki, ‘Kaddu’, ‘Karela’, mooli-rasdaar, poori bhindi, holi ki gujhiya etc.
Favourite clothes: Dhoti-Kurta, occasionally ‘Pathani Suit’, Jodhpuri coat. (As a student, aligarhi Payzama-kameez was the liking. Sherwani and chudidar payzama was also the favourite though occasional wear after becoming an MP)
Clothes for various Occasions: As per the demand of occasion.
Favourite colour: Blue and White
Favourite Season: Winter (Sitting in the Sun: At Safdurjung residence, loved to lie down on ‘chatai’ under the Sun.)
Favourite places: Manali, Mount Abu, Almora
Favourite city abroad: Vancouver (Canada)
Favourite readings: Novel, poem, stories, religious books ‘Maha Bharat’, ‘Ramayan’, Raghuvansh, Maghdoot, Shakespeare’s plays. (Read Vedas as a prisoner at All India Medical Inst.)
Favourite Language: Hindi
Favourite songs: “o re manjhi” & “Sun mere bandh re” – by S. D. Burman and “Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khyal”- by Mukesh & Lata.
Favourite Hindi Film: Devdas, Bandini, Teesri Kasam, Mausam, Mamta, Aandhi.
Favourite TV serial: Not many
Favourite English Films: Bridge over river Kwai, Born Free, Gandhi.
How joined politics: Through poetry
Favourite newspapers: All
Favourite sports: Gulli-danda, Kabaddi, Hockey, Football, Tennis
Favourite Pass-Time: Reading
