National Poets’ meet marks Vajpayee’s 101st birth anniversary; leaders recall his politics of dignity

A National Poets’ Meet was organised in the Capital on Thursday to mark the 101st birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with political leaders and poets recalling his unique blend of statesmanship, poetry and moral politics.

The event, organised by the Hindi Academy, Delhi, was held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, and brought together Cabinet ministers of the Delhi government, MLAs, litterateurs, poets and poetry enthusiasts from across the country. A special issue of the Hindi Academy’s monthly magazine Indraprastha Bharti was also released on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, BJP National Executive President Nitin Nabin said Vajpayee had transformed politics into a practice rooted in dignity and restraint. “Atal ji taught us that power must always be used as a means of service. Even his political opponents admired him,” Nabin said, adding that a poets’ meet was a fitting tribute to a leader who was equally known for his poetry and public life.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Vajpayee’s life and ideas continue to guide public life and governance. “Atal ji’s life is a philosophy. His ideals are our guiding light,” she said. Recalling his contribution to Delhi, the Chief Minister said the Delhi Metro was one of Vajpayee’s lasting gifts to the city. “He bought the first Metro ticket himself in 2002. Today, the Metro spans nearly 400 km and serves around 3.5 million passengers every day,” she said.

The Chief Minister said her government draws inspiration from Vajpayee’s emphasis on consensus, dialogue and inclusive leadership. She also quoted lines associated with Vajpayee to underline resilience and collective resolve, saying obstacles and storms should not deter progress. Earlier, a documentary tracing Vajpayee’s journey from childhood to his role as prime minister was screened. It highlighted his work in journalism, his parliamentary conduct, key decisions taken during his tenure and his role in shaping India’s modern political culture.

Minister for Art, Culture and Language Kapil Mishra said December 25 was special as it marked the birth of both “a poetic mind and a great soul”. He said Vajpayee’s words and vision continued to resonate in public life.

“His poetry and politics were never separate. They flowed from the same moral core,” Mishra said, urging the audience to participate with patriotic slogans. Mishra also welcomed poets from across the country, noting that several of them had recited poetry in Vajpayee’s presence in the past. He described the gathering as historic and said such platforms keep India’s literary and cultural traditions alive.

Throughout the evening, poets paid tribute to Vajpayee through lyrical, humorous and satirical recitations, drawing repeated applause from the audience. The auditorium echoed with verses recalling his humanism, nationalism and belief in democratic values.