The death of a Statesman

This is the present. A present day India, full of self-serving and self-promoting people. An India full of self-serving and self-promoting governing class. A class that knows no ethics, decency in public life nor any interest in public welfare.

Given such a state, it would be a miracle to find any person in the governing class who atleast tries to avoid the above trappings. Who, given the state of hopelessness around him/her, would see the bigger picture, would at times think outside the box and who would not squirm if not given the credit for it.

There are people like that - few and far inbetween and India just lost one a few weeks back.

Shri. PV Narasimha Rao was one such person who was one of the greatest Statesman India had ever seen. Its a privilege for indians to have had him as a politician, minister, Prime Minister and Statesman.

There are a lot of articles being written about him in the electronic and print media, now that he is gone. I did chance upon an interview that PVN had given to the editor-in-chief of The Indian Express. A masterpiece of an interview and it was his last.

The whole interview, I found not one regret, not one outburst, not one complaint. Even when needled with questions about the way his party had treated him, he gave a very calm and dignified response. It was really amazing to see that he nursed no grudge against anyone, including those who were responsible for marginalizing him.

Typical of him, he kept a low profile even as PM. Remember the scams in his tenure when a lot of his own cabinet ministers were forced to resign. Whenever quized by a reporter on the scam and the tainted ministers, pat came the reply - "The law will take its own course". An oft repeated phrase that almost became a mantra.

Unlike other politicians, he retired into oblivion. Making occasional appearances when summoned to court. At times he seemed to like his isolation. A politican who was PM, retiring from political life was very rare. Something that all politicans should do or be forced to do.

Though as former PM not being given enough credit by his own party, he did not break the party, did not start a new political platform nor did he bad mouth anybody for his ouster. Quite lacking in the basic qualities of today's politician.

He was indeed a great gift to India and its time he got his due. When New Delhi can build memorials for people belonging to certain families who have done more harm than good to India, why not one for PVN.

The future generation of Indians should remember what a great Prime Minister he was. They should thank him for his bold economic policies that changed the face of India. PVN tried to secure India's future and the Indians are reaping the fruits today.

Rest in Peace, Sir. India is indebted to you.