While the nation is praying for Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s health who is admitted to AIIMS New Delhi hospital, we bring you an interesting fact about the former PM and Lata Mangeshkar’s bond.

Yes, it is a less known fact that Vajpayee loved films and shared a good bond with Bollywood celebrities, one of whom is the ace singer.

Bharat Ratna Awardee Lata Mangeshkar was delighted when Atal Ji was also conferred the Bharat Ratna. She said,

“It is richly deserved; I only wish Atalji got this honour when he was still well. But anyway it’s never too late. I’ve had the rare honour to sing Atalji’s poems. The album was called Antarnaad. I had selected 6 of Atalji’s poems. I remember one particular poem in my album portrayed vignettes from Atalji’s childhood. Scenes from his home with his parents came live in the poem. Sushma Swaraji had asked how I thought of this poem since very few knew about it. But it was my favourite.”

She further added

“I told him (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) he reminds me of my father. I grew up in an atmosphere where idealistic politicians like Vir Savarkar visited our home. My mother would cook for him. Atalji reminds me of those politicians from my childhood. He is a noble soul. Jitni taarif karoon utni kam. No praise is too high for him.”

Lataji thinks of Atalji as a bit of a misfit in politics. “He had once said he wished he had remained a writer and poet and not come into politics. But politics needs people like Atalji.”

She adds with gentle laugh, “You know, someone recently pointed out to me that if you read ‘Atal’ backwards it becomes ‘Lata’. When I sang Atalji’s poems I realized how pure his soul is. He is a poet who accidentally became a politician.”

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted to the hospital on June 11 after he was diagnosed with kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and low urine output. Later on 15th August he was shifted to life support system.