On being conferred the Padma Vibhushan on 24th April 1992, Atal Bihari Vajpayee recited his poem `Oonchai' (Height) at the reception held in his honour. The poem speaks of Man and the heights of success he can reach. He compares the peaks of success to a mountain peak, rearing up against the sky, alone, isolated and apart from the throbbing pulse of life below. There is no denying its majesty or its splendour. Yet no tree can grow on it or grass take root; no bird can build a nest or a traveller find rest on its snow covered heights; snow, which he calls - `white as shround and cold as death'. The reality is that attaining height is never enough, it must be accompanied by expanse as well. Only then can there be sharing, and companionship. The man who puts himself above other humans has no one with whom he can share his burden, to whom he can dare show the regrets behind the smile. The sensitivity of the poet is evident when he says `There is a world of difference between having great height and possessing great depth'. The poem ends with the impassioned prayer: