India's New PM:God has not Given up on India

05-21-2004, 11:36 AM

"Asked about his vision for India, he responded optimistically, "I
don't know if Indians have faith in God, but God still has some
faith in India. While civilisations across the world are wiped out
over a period, our Indian civilisation, which is over 5,000 years,
has stood the test of Time and is still vibrant. This is what gives
me hope that God has not yet given up on India."

http://us.rediff.com/news/2004/may/22spec2.htm?
headline='I've~to~give~something~back:'~Dr~Singh

It was in 1999 that I had the opportunity to meet Dr Manmohan Singh
in Delhi on two occasions. This happened during the course of my
work as a journalist; I used to contribute to the Tamil weekly
Kunkumam.

Once, I did an exclusive interview with him.

The other time, I trailed him during his campaign for the 1999
general election. He lost, but his personality was so unforgettable
that the result seemed insignificant -- at least, I thought so.

During the interview, I got a glimpse into his way of life, his
philosophy and his idea of governance.

Asked about his vision for India, he responded optimistically, "I
don't know if Indians have faith in God, but God still has some
faith in India. While civilisations across the world are wiped out
over a period, our Indian civilisation, which is over 5,000 years,
has stood the test of Time and is still vibrant. This is what gives
me hope that God has not yet given up on India."

He said the dictum of Bhagvad Gita -- 'Do one's duty without the
expectations of results' -- has been his guiding light.

"In fact, all our Indian scriptures, including our Guru Granth Sahib
[the holy book of the Sikhs], emphasises this philosophy," he
explained.

When I asked him which areas he would emphasise on if he were to
prepare the Union Budget, he said, "What is essential today is to
revive the people's confidence in themselves, in the country and in
the government."

And how did he plan to do that?

"Undoubtedly, my first job would be to reduce inflation. It is the
duty of the finance minister to ensure that inflation doesn't hurt
the common man, even as he implements plans that focus on improving
the economy. Some people argue that high inflation is the price we
pay for a robust economy. I don't agree with this. It is important
to bring down the inflation."

It was Minoo Masani's book Our India that first sparked his interest
in economics.

His father wanted him to study medicine; in fact, Dr Singh had
already joined a medical college. But he soon realised his forte was
economics and made the switch.

Dr Singh said he felt indebted to society. "Since most of my
education was funded by some scholarship or the other, I feel I have
to give something back to society. Although I have had several
offers from abroad, I feel my place is in India. In general, life
has given me everything that is good. I am contented with my life.
There is no sense of want in my life now."

Other snippets from the interview:

Amartya Sen was his senior in Cambridge.

Besides economics, his interests include reading (politics, history,
biographies, etc) and classical music (M S Subbulakshmi tops his
list of favourite musicians).

He appreciates the simplicity of South Indians and enjoys South
Indian food. "It is tasty and has varieties too," he said.

During his campaign trail, he came across as your next-door
neighbour.

Party workers sang and danced as he moved from house to house in
South Delhi, the constituency he was contesting from. He actually
looked lost as, with folded hands, he moved with the aggressive
crowd.

When there was confusion among party workers about the route they
were to take, or any other aspect of the campaigning, he stood aside
silently and watched them sort it out among themselves.

He was not overbearing nor did he throw his weight around. In fact,
he absolutely lacked the airs and fancies of a politician!

He cooperated completely with the party workers.

When the crowd got beyond control, when they literally held his
hands and took him to some other direction -- another house or a
gurdwara -- he obliged with a smile and without making a fuss.

He was a total greenhorn in electioneering, but the public didn't
seem to mind that.

"He is one sane man in today's rotten politics," said one bystander.

Another extolled his honesty and simplicity.

A shopkeeper remembered him as the person who revived India's
economy.

If he had a drawback, politically speaking that is, it is the lack
of a mass base. But I think it is his sense of humility that keeps
him back from projecting himself as a leader of the masses.

I hope his performance will speak for him in the future and give him
the mass base that he needs.