India Foundation hosted the 7th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture (ABVML) on 27th December, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, a significant event commemorating the life and contributions of one of India’s most revered statesmen. The lecture drew over 300 attendees, reflecting the deep respect and admiration that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continues to command.
The session was chaired by Shri Suresh Prabhu, former Union Minister and Chairman of the India Foundation’s Governing Council. In his address, Shri Prabhu fondly remembered Vajpayee’s unparalleled legacy, describing him as a leader who transcended political divides and became a symbol of unity and hope for the nation. He spoke of the profound grief that gripped the country upon Vajpayee’s passing, noting that it felt to many as though they had lost a member of their own family. Shri Prabhu highlighted Vajpayee’s unwavering commitment to the national interest, calling him a “man of steel” with an “indomitable will” that defined his approach to governance. Recalling a pivotal moment during a no-confidence motion in Parliament, he quoted Vajpayee’s defiant question to the opposition: “What is the alternative after me?” This, Shri Prabhu said, underscored Vajpayee’s deep conviction that strong leadership was crucial for the nation’s stability and progress.
The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President of Sri Lanka, who shared personal anecdotes and insights into his long-standing association with Vajpayee. Reflecting on their first meeting at the 1974 Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in Colombo, he recounted how their political careers often intertwined, particularly during their respective tenures as Leaders of the Opposition and later as Prime Ministers between 2001 and 2004. H.E. Wickremesinghe praised Vajpayee’s bold and transformative leadership, particularly his role in spearheading India’s second-generation economic reforms.
Drawing on his personal experiences, H.E. Wickremesinghe reminisced about the year 1977, when Vajpayee became India’s External Affairs Minister while he assumed the role of Deputy Foreign Minister in Sri Lanka. He highlighted Vajpayee’s vision for regional cooperation and the historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka. He also touched upon his family’s connections to Indian luminaries such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Rabindranath Tagore, underscoring the deep-rooted bond between the two nations. H.E. Wickremesinghe concluded by emphasising the current economic collaboration between India and Sri Lanka, which aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional economic powerhouse.
A special highlight of the event was the release of a new publication titled Leader Par Excellence, a compilation of insightful discourses from eminent personalities delivered over the years at the ABVML. The book was officially unveiled by H.E. Wickremesinghe, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Dr. Ram Madhav, and Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee. This collection serves as a tribute to Vajpayee’s towering legacy and his enduring influence on contemporary leadership and governance.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Major General Dhruv C. Katoch, Director of the India Foundation. Expressing gratitude to the speakers, attendees, and organisers, he underscored the importance of such platforms in keeping the memory and ideals of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee alive for future generations. The 7th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture once again highlighted the timeless relevance of his vision and values in shaping the nation’s path forward.
