Jawahar Lal Nehru (our first Prime Minister) was a giant even amongst equals, with very high Vision and Mission. Indira Gandhi was “pushed” into the PM seat; but she had some competency and high will power. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a simpleton, and was in fact “pushed” into the “hot seat”. Others such as Deva Gowda, Chandrashekhar, IK Gujral and Narasimha Rao were just “lucky” to be in the hot seat! Rajeev Gandhi was another one who was “pushed” into the seat. He was a “good looking” person but with doubtful competency; yet he was the Congress coterie choice to continue a “dynasty”. VP Singh entered the “seat” through his own effort … but did not have the capacity to withstand the tremendous pressures and pulls! Morarji Desai was a “stop-gap” choice. Charan Singh was another “funny” choice PM! Atal Beharo Vajpayee was a National Leader of prominence and “acceptance”, although he could not be compared to a Nehru or Indira Gandhi. He was a strong “Leader”. And now we have another “pushed-into-the hot-seat” PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh! It is strange that he seems to become the only other PM (after Nehru and Indira Gandhi) to “rule” two consecutive terms. Does it mean that he is a superb PM? The less discussed and said about this… the better!
There are many names floating in the air for the “next” PM: Rahul Gandhi, Mulayam Singh, Modi, Nitish Kumar, and Jaya lalitha … being in the “top” list! There are a few others at the fringe: Lalu Prasad, Mamta Banerjee, P. Chidambaram, AK Antony … among some others
It is sad and strange that we seem to have a dearth of quality people to take up the post of PM! The correct choice should be such that the person MUST have at least the following qualities:
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Vision, Imagination, Mission and Leadership
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Acceptability across all party spectrum and at all-India level
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Knowledge about India (total)
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Charisma and firmness
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Knowledge about India’s needs (and about Indian Constitution)
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Simplicity and quick-wittedness
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Absolute integrity and non corruptibility
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Age less than 60 (or near about age)
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Good grasp of at least five to six languages (including excellence in Hindi and English)
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Must posses good health and very high Knowledge in most subjects
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Must be above board, non parochial, non partisan and totally neutral
Is there any one we could “think” about, having at least SIX of the above qualities? Is it that India does not have even one amongst the 1,250 million with such qualities? Alas! Where are we heading?
JAI HIND
Pvhramani's Blog 