When I visited the Indian Parliament as well as the British Parliament, the feeling was indescribable. Since I watch debates of both, I was able to associate them to their place of origin well. I dare not compare, though!
The line of political discourse has become more rhetorical than intellectual. If you belong to a generation that saw the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Gorbachev, Vajpayee and a handful of others, or even read about great world leaders, you would know what I mean.
A few months ago, I read The Half Lion, a biography of Shri. P.V. Narasimha Rao. He is probably one of those leaders who did not get his due despite being a visionary in the true sense of the term. When he opened up the Indian economy I was old enough to understand what it meant. It was quite evident from the book that he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning and that was demonstrated in his manner as a politician - well read, articulate, liberal, mature and visionary.
As a sense of fatigue has set in on debating the currency reform, the one fall-out is the complete disdain the political class has for intellectual opinion. While many an economist were vocal about their apprehensions, the politicians of the ruling party chose to view it with a jaundiced eye.
A side note: Bengaluru is, apparently, among the least affected by the reform. This is probably because of the side-effects of being the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India! This is also the city that supported the Aam Aadmi Party in its initial days. (I am not clued on the change in that stance, if any). Bengaluru is also home to many of the country’s finest research and educational institutions.
The importance of the political health, and well being, of a country cannot be emphasised enough - it shapes policies, defines the road map for the future, nudges changes in social behaviour, impacts how the world views us, influences the manner of schooling and education, designs the economic models and chalks out developmental agenda for social sector reform.
While it may be argued that the politicians are supported by experts in the process of decision making, that any such advice is accepted in the right spirit, and comprehended to lead to effective outcomes, cannot be discounted.
The system, however, comes with its drawbacks - a low literacy level, divisions of caste and class and many nations within the larger Nation that influence the way politics is shaped.
This is probably one of the many reasons why politics does not seem a very favourable career option to youngsters of today. In parts of South India, engineering and medicine are still the preferred career, while in the North of India, areas of law, commerce and humanities seem more popular. The ambitions for a life of economic freedom and professional liberty seems more attractive compared to a career that involves a long gestation period and a rein in on individual thought and expressions. The career of a politician is looked at with disdain, as if it were for others and not the self. The draw of social responsibility and the desire to contribute to social development and causes is made possible through the many groups and organisations that act as vigilante groups. The conscience, therefore, remains clean - that one has made a contribution to society by being external to the political system. And, in the bargain, the steering and shaping of political discourse takes a back seat!
I often advice youngsters to listen to/read the debates of the early politicians of independent India at the Constituent Assembly. It gives a view of what they imagined for India - the way ahead, the nature of politics that would be practised, the progress we would make and the model for governance. Extremely articulate in their expression, intellectual in their references and liberal in their views, the debates are a reflection of their intellectual and patriotic wealth.
Even the speeches by Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpaye in the parliament display a well read mind and superior thought. Cut to the debates and speeches of today; except for a few, rare instances, that are a demonstration of sheer brilliance and wit, most leave us wanting! To change that, we must have the best minds - minds that look at politics beyond politics, are strong in their capacity to comprehend complexities, flexible in their ability to accept opinions and humility to accept faults. For this we must create an ecosystem where such States(wo)men take shape and thrive. We must do all it takes to ensure that we have a vibrant political class that will be representative of the true spirit of India.
Raga Durga, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan:
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