Personality of the month: February 2005                                                 www.nihindia.org

India`s tryst with Destiny

The future of a race or civilization usually depends on many factors, predominantly the context-condition of the times and the decisions-choices made by its leaders. The common man has a say on choosing his leaders, at least in the free world with a democratic framework, on the basis of his personal likes or dislikes of a projected personality of the candidates. How many of us truly look up the CV or do background check of our potential leaders? Do we truly look at the achievements or qualifications for the job or the lineage-family legacy to cast our precious ballots?  We see it happening here in the US, where a leader with his future vision of freedom and liberty leading one of the most powerful nations into wars against tyranny and dictatorship. On a more desi note, our leaders of today are still mellow, with the usual sit-on-the-fence approach behind our remarkable legacy of the nehruvian principles of non-alignment. Here is a brief snapshot of three ‘young’ (akin to the movie ‘Yuva’…another example of life imitating art or vice versa!) leaders who might play a pioneering role for India as an emerging super (…wistfully?) power.

 

Rahul Gandhi

This 34 year old is the fore runner to lead our country with the family lineage widely accepted as the first family, Rahul has completed his education from Delhi Public school and had a brief stint at in Stephens College, Delhi. He then got an M.Phil. in Economics of developing countries from Trinity College, Cambridge (still controversial) with a prior brief stint at Harvard. He went on to work as a financial consultant in England. His entry into Indian politics created a buzz when he campaigned with his mother Sonia in Amethi in 1999 but he seemed to be bidding his time in the shadows. His win in Amethi in 2003 finally cemented his place in the annals of Indian politics but he still needs to wade his way through the system before staking his claim for the throne of power.

His personal life and likes remains a closely guarded secret (for the much quoted ‘reasons of security’) but his youthful exploits like trap shooting (he got a sports quota seat in Stephens) , his Colombian ex-girlfriend or the gossip about his present fascination with Karenna Kapoor are all carefully ‘advertised’.

On a more serious note, his outlook on Indian politics strikes a melancholy chord. He stresses on his emotional connection with the people and his need to serve India with a self-described dil ki rajniti (politics of the heart). "While developed countries push ahead for progress, we are (falsely) being told that we are fully developed," he says.  Political analyst like Mahesh Rangarajan, aptly puts it “Jawaharlal Nehru captured the imagination of young, more militant nationalists. Indira Gandhi cultivated a pro-poor image. Even Sanjay Gandhi had a cult like following and a project of change directed from above. It is unclear what Rahul stands for, what his message is and what his program is. Till he defines that, his strength will be not last beyond the novelty value."

 

         Jyotiraditya Scindia

         At 34 years of age, he is the Maharaja of Gwalior and a member of the Indian parliament from Guna, Madhya Pradesh. Apart from being one of the youngest parliamentarians, his victory by an astounding 4.5 lakhs speak volumes of his popularity in his constituency. His succession to the helm came in September 30^th 2002 when his father, the charismatic and revered Madhavrao Scindia passed away in a plane crash. He is no newcomer to politics as he had first campaigned for his 9 times elected father at the age 13. 

Apart from being a thorough-bred from the Scindia gharana, this able young leader has been educated in Doons, Harvard and Stanford Business School. He has a working experience that would appeal to any corporate big wiz- Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and his own investment banking consultancy in Mumbai. He also has the distinction of being the only undergraduate intern in the UN Economic Development Cell.

In keeping with the new age of how transparency and accountability in politics is (should) be managed, he boasts of his own website keeping the common people informed of his activities. This also allows the public to petition him ‘directly’, well at least quicker as compared to the paper trail of earlier days.  Another facet of his youthful persona is his attention to the nuances of how adapting and implementing new technological that will help better the life of the common man. His words on the leadership of our country ‘....the country needs educated policy makers and political leaders’ augurs well for our political literacy. 

 

        Sachin Pilot

        Another father-son succession is Sachin Pilot. His political baptism came from both his mother, Rama Pilot and his charismatic father, the late Rajesh Pilot. He is 27 years of age and has been educated in Air Force school and St Stephen`s College, New Delhi. He also got his MBA from Wharton Business School, USA. He was elected from Dausa, Rajasthan by a thumping majority in the recent elections. His focus as a young parliamentarian has been on introducing micro-finance schemes and insurance for farmers as well as human resource development in terms of non-government employment. He also seems keen on promoting technology as a major sector for India's role as a major global player. 

His recent well publicized wedding to the veteran Jammu and Kashmir politician Farooq Abdullah`s daughter, Sara, has had the rumor mills buzzing due to family dissent. This is one personality whose amiable smile and friendly attitude is winning many political and non-political admirers.