Remember the December 26, 2004 tsunami, yes, exactly twenty years ago? It was a national tragedy. There was an appeal by the central government for donations so as to restore the lives literally lost. As a young research scholar, I pitched in, in my own small way. Imagine my joy when I got a letter addressed to me, and personally signed by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister!
I think that was that silent gentlemanly goodness that won hearts for Dr. Manmohan Singh. I remember another occasion when I genuinely felt sorry for him. Dr. Singh was in the UK where he was being feted as an alumnus by the Cambridge University. Here in India, an ordinance, signed by him and his ministry, was publically torn to pieces, that, too, in a press conference. I felt truly angry at such humiliation of Dr. Singh. Honestly, it was the kind of livid fury one feels when your good, gentle father is unnecessarily insulted.
Yes, he was the man who in early nineties changed the direction, nay, the destiny, of the Indian economy. Supported by Dr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister, Dr. Singh ushered in a change, 'an idea whose time has come'. Sure, one may have hundreds of issues with the LPG economic reforms. One cannot deny, however, its inevitability then, and Dr. Singh's bold measures.
His last appearance in the Rajya Sabha, too, was stellar. His party needed him. He was present there on a wheel chair! I suppose, sadly that generation of principled, honest, sincere genuineness is surely, and not so slowly, waning away. Rest in peace, Sir! History would surely judge you kindly!
Pratima@ In my opinion, the current appeal of our present prime minister, Modiji, like his BJP predecessor, Atal Behari Vajpeyi-ji, stems from the common citizen's recognition of their genuine commitment to the national welfare and common good. A generation of stalwarts, indeed!
No comments:
Post a Comment