Vajpayee's funeral: Some climbed trees, some left work to catch his glimpse

Electrician Kundan Kumar Jha skipped work and travelled from Faridabad today to catch a glimpse of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the BJP headquarters, only because he loved his speeches and personality.

Such was the magnetic appeal of Vajpayee's persona that old-timers and youngsters travelled in scorching heat, some from far-off places to pay their last respects.

Jha, in his mid-30s, who originally hails from Bihar, said, he was an admirer of his personality back home only, but the admiration grew after he moved to Delhi.

"I work as an electrician with a private company in Faridabad. But, I decided to skip work today, as I had to be here. I just had to pay my respect, so I came. Also, I liked his speeches and personality. Even in his sarcastic remarks, he was very dignified," he told PTI.

While Jha endeavoured to catch a glimpse of the leader from a footpath beside the Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg, a few visitors perched on branches of trees opposite the party office to steal a look.

When asked, what drew him to Vajpayee, he said, "His speeches were fiery and phenomenal. After moving to Delhi in 2011, I was introduced by my friends to his famous speeches. They were so powerful and had the idea of India that he had envisioned."
Rohit, 31, a UPSC aspirant, who lives in Noida, said, he and a few of his friends, "arrived at the BJP headquarters at 8:30 am only."