Former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and his wife Nilima Sinha had several fond memories of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Both were frequent visitor to his house in Delhi as well as part of Vajpayee's Holi celebration.
Talking to The Pioneer, Nilima said she was always with her husband whenever he visited Vajpayee's house. She said when Yashwant Sinha was first inducted in Vajpayee government in 1998 after swearing in, portfolio was not announced. Even there was no hint that what portfolio ministers would get. She said few days passed and Sinha finally approached the then Prime Minister Vajpayee asking his permission to go to his constituency Hazaribagh.
Nilima said when Yashwant Sinha met Vajpayee and shared his plan of visiting Hazaribagh, he commented without a pause: “Aur budget kaun banayegaij (Who will prepare the budget). She said this was the first indication of Vajpayee to Yashwant that he would get Finance Ministry.
According to Nilima, after becoming Prime Minister, Vajpayee used to organise Holi Milan at residence. He used to enjoy the occassion, joining the groups singing songs and playing gulal. Recalling Vajpayee, she said he was a great man who used to stick to his principles. Despite such a big achievement, he was so humble, so polite, added she. She said it was a big loss for the country. She said his contributions for the country will make coming generations to remember him always and get inspired from his work.