'Proud to have seen a national leader so closely'

Rediff.com reader Sathyhadeep shares his story of meeting former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

I had a really golden opportunity to meet our beloved Prime Minister Shri Atalji and I was indeed fortunate to have met him.

• Have you met Vajpayee? Tell us about it

He had been an ardent follower of Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Puttaparthi) from the 1960s, much before heading a political party named Bharatiya Jana Sangh. It was subsequently changed to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

As anyone could see, Baba's pictures were displayed all over his residence and office even during his tenure as the PM.

As I too am devoted to Baba since childhood, and also had the privilege of studying in his institution, I recall the incident of having met Atalji once.

It was in the year 2001 when I was a member of Brindavan Bhajan Group (Ashram in Brindavan Kadugodi Whitefield in Bengaluru). A group of members would sing in Baba's glory.

During the inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital, Whitefield near IT park in the outskirts of Bengaluru, the chief guest was Atalji, and I was entrusted with the duty of guiding all VIP vehicles to the wallet parking.

He sat beside Baba and when he alighted I had a close look at such a humble personality, so soft-spoken. He was glittering, though he was in his 70s.

It was a proud moment for me to have seen a national leader at such a close quarter.

Did you ever have the opportunity to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee?

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Do you have memories of meeting the former prime minister?

When did you meet him? What was the experience like?

Do share your memories/opinion of the late prime minister with us. You can mail us at newsdesk@rediff.co.in. Do include your name, age, where you are from and where and how you had the opportunity to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee.