The Intellectual Politician

On Friday last, I was among the select few who were invited to a conversation with Shri. Jairam Ramesh on the release of his latest book, Intertwined Lives. What was meant to be a 120 minute event ended beyond the allotted time, yet, leaving many in the audience wanting more! As I stood in the queue to get his autograph on a copy of the book I had bought for a young girl in the family who, I knew, would devour the contents of the book, I couldn’t but wonder at the bankruptcy of such erudition among the politicians across the spectrum today. 

The book that explores the relationship between P.N. Haksar  and Indira Gandhi, relies extensively on the documents available at the Nehru Memorial Museum and the Indian Archives, and provides an engaging insight into the political canvas that prevailed in the period between the mid 60s and the early 80s of the previous century in Indian political history. 

While in conversation, the author noted that during that period the higher echelons of the Indian Administrative Services were occupied by the Nairs of Kerala, the Tam-Brams (Tamil Brahmins) and the Pandits from Kashmir. 

Meandering through facets from the book, it was the snippets and anecdotes shared with candour in the course of the conversation, that left many of us fascinated - the constraints, challenges and insecurities that illustrate the relationship between the politician and power and also between the powerful and power, herself. He also did lament the absence of academic research in these areas among the young scholars today.

As I left the event, I was trying to count the number of intellectuals that remain among the political class today. If we observe, ruefully, the abysmally low quality of the political discourse today, it is because there is a lack of intellectual caliber and erudition. It is the nature and quality of political debates that define the path of a Nation and Her people. We must be wary if the title to my post seems like an oxymoron!

As I end this post with a piece of music, as is the custom I follow, I would urge you to read the book…

Celebrating the monsoon, Raga Desh style: