Oscars to A R Rahman bring smile on Atal’s face

The doctor said 84-year-old Vajpayee’s eyes were glued to the television when Rahman crooned ‘Jai ho’ and ‘O saya’ on the Kodak Theater stage.

“He could not speak because of tracheotomy but his excitement was visible when he signalled me to come and look at the screen as the award was given to Rahman. He even gestured to all the staff present in the ICU to have a look at the television,” he said.

The veteran leader has shown immense improvement since he was admitted at AIIMS following complaints of chest infection which was later diagnosed to be pneumonia. He underwent tracheotomy on February 13 to ease the respiration process and avoid any infection.

Vajpayee continues to remain stable but doctors have advised to keep him in ICU till he starts taking solid food. He has been fed through pipes as the “tracheotomy” tube does not allow him to take food orally.

“It is medical rule that the tracheotomy tube is kept for three weeks. He is now able to sit and somebody reads out the newspapers to him. He also listens to old film music and watches television as well,” the doctor said.

“We have kept TV,music system in the ICU and made all the permissible arrangements which suit his interest. He is recovering well. The chest infection has also been resolved,” said Sampath Kumar,head of CTVS centre and one of the treating doctors.