A special exhibition has opened in the national capital to commemorate the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Titled 'Atal Prashasti', the display aims to bring to life the many facets of the beloved leader's personality and his enduring contributions to the nation.
A Journey Through Three Defining Themes
The exhibition, which will remain open to the public until January 23, is being hosted at the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya) located on the Teen Murti campus in New Delhi. It narrates the Vajpayee story through a unique, descending curatorial approach divided into three core themes.
The journey begins with 'the statesman in action', showcasing Vajpayee's public and political life as remembered by the country. It then moves deeper into the 'roots of conviction', exploring the struggles, ideals, and experiences that shaped his worldview. The final section reveals his 'words of wisdom', highlighting his most intimate dimension as a profound poet and thinker.
Celebrating a Multifaceted Personality
Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as India's Prime Minister for three terms. Starting his career in journalism, he rose to become a towering political figure and reformer who laid the groundwork for several key milestones in India's development trajectory.
The exhibition meticulously highlights his multifaceted identity—a poet, journalist, orator, social worker, and literary figure—who was admired across political divides for his intellect, eloquence, and deep humanism. Alongside photographs documenting his political ascent and tenure as PM, the display also features rare glimpses from his school and college days.
Iconic Memorabilia and Poetic Tributes
Installed in the foyer between Block 1 and Block 2, near Vajpayee's iconic Ambassador car exhibit, the space is filled with poignant reminders of his legacy. Visitors are welcomed by famous lines from his poems inscribed on cloth scrolls. Recordings of his poetry, recited in his own distinct voice with its characteristic deliberate pauses, play softly in the background, creating an immersive atmosphere.
One scroll features powerful words from his poem "Bharat ka Mastak Nahin Jhukega". Opposite it, a wall captures a historic moment: Vajpayee and Russian President Vladimir Putin signing the Moscow Declaration on international terrorism in 2001.
The exhibition also features several other significant photographs that mark pivotal moments:
- Vajpayee visiting Bhuj after the devastating earthquake.
- Him addressing the Army during a visit to Kargil and Srinagar in 1998.
- His address to the nation from the Red Fort on August 15, 2000, the first Independence Day of the new century.
It doesn't shy away from showing his softer side, with photos like one of him distributing sweets to children during a visit to Warsaw in June 1979 when he was the External Affairs Minister. Another iconic image captures him with legendary actor Dev Anand at a Janata Party rally in Delhi in December 1979.
On display are also copies of Vajpayee's books—collections of his speeches and poems—along with photos of the numerous awards and honors he received, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna.
The exhibition culminates with a highlight: a candid image of Vajpayee stepping out of his Ambassador car, aptly captioned "silent companion". Just outside the pavilion, visitors can see the display of this very "faithful Ambassador" car, a symbol of an era and a leader who steered the nation with vision and poetic grace.
