Kodagu: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wanted to resolve Kashmir problem with humanity, says his ex-aide Sudheendra Kulkarni who worked under Vajpayee for six years in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Speaking to ANI to share his experiences with the former Prime Minister, Kulkarni said, “Despite being the Prime Minister of India he had a distinct simplicity in his personality. Humanism, according to me, was the signature tune of his whole life. The humanism that was always evident in his behaviour with people, was also used to resolve big problems”.
About his Kashmir’s visit he said, “When Atal ji first went to Kashmir after becoming the Prime Minister, the situation was very bad. When he was asked as to how he will solve the problem of Kashmir within constitutional framework, he replied he will resolve it with humanity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence day speech also reiterated that Kashmir problem will be solved through the path shown by former Prime Minister Vajpayee. Hence we can say that he created a template or framework which can be put to use to resolve the most complicated problems”.
Kulkarni also accompanied Vajpayee during his historic Amritsar to Lahore bus journey. Recalling memories from that visit former PMO aide said, “At Lahore Governor’s house he recited a poem to emphasise on the need of peace between India and Pakistan, which made people of Pakistan also emotional.”
On the legacy of ‘Gentle Giant’ Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kulkarni said, “The true tribute to Atal ji would be to strengthen the unity of India. We have to strengthen and keep India united irrespective of diversity. If we can achieve peace in Kashmir and can resolve our problems with Pakistan and China in a peaceful manner, it will be the biggest tribute in my opinion”.
ANI