ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

'Atal, have you become such a big man that I cannot get near you?'

The prime minister stops in his tracks. He can hear the voice, that frail voice, even above the roar of the crowd. Again.

"Atal, have you become such a big man that I cannot get near you?''

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, obviously, hasn't. He turns, wades through layers of securitymen, and gathers the speaker, a frail woman, in a tight embrace. Tears roll down his cheeks.

The woman, who had been struggling to get near him but was pushed back by securitymen, is Sarla, his foster sister. She used to work at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Research Centre in Delhi.

Before we move on, Vajpayee is in Lucknow, paying a brief visit to the multi-storey government complex which houses his flat...

Twelve-year-old Ekta Verma has a most memorable experience when she opens her door and finds the prime minister standing before her.

The residents of the housing complex has spruced up the area to welcome Vajpayee. They have turned out in large numbers, not minding the overprotective securitymen and police officials...

Bose, one of the prime minister's neighbours, tells him not to change his flat. Vajpayee receives the suggestion with a warm smile.

Neeta Kishore, another neighbour, says he should keep visiting his Lucknow flat. The gathered residents clap, and Vajpayee smiles contently.

Meanwhile, children, who had greeted Vajpayee with flowers, are seeking his autographs. The prime minister obliges, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and several of his cabinet colleagues and top officials watch on.

Vajpayee is in Lucknow for a thanksgiving visit. He had been received by Kalyan Singh and other top dignitaries at the airport and driven to Raj Bhavan. A large number of people had lined the streets to greet their member of Parliament. He addressed a public meeting at the historic Begum Hazrat Mahal park, after which he has come down to see his neighbours...

A little later, Vajpayee will leave to catch his flight back to Delhi. But till then, he has his neighbours to entertain, autographs to sign, and children to chatter with...

Let's leave him to them.

UNI

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