Manmohan Singh could possibly be brutally candid if he trusted you – Occasions of India
To paraphrase one of many biggest scientists (Einstein) talking concerning the biggest Indian (Mahatma Gandhi), one might justifiably say that later generations would scarcely consider that an individual with the character and magnificence of MMS had been so profitable within the hurly burly of Indian administration and politics, and would trip its uppermost crests for many years.
Since a lot is already written and spoken about him, let me cowl some uncovered incidents and anecdotes. Extremely taciturn at one of the best of occasions and by no means gregarious, MMS went into absolute silence when informed concerning the felony case pending towards him within the so-called coal rip-off, the place he was an accused just because he was, as Prime Minister, additionally the coal minister for the related time.
After I assured him that there was no case definitely worth the title towards him, there was pin-drop silence until, in a plaintive voice, he stated: ‘I’ve tried all my life by no means to go close to illegality. How might my title even seem there? When will my title be cleared as a result of I do know I’ve carried out nothing remotely incorrect.” I had no actual reply besides to mumble concerning the vagaries of our authorized system which lead companies and the judicial system to incorporate a reputation within the accused record even once they know that it’s fully vicarious. I do know that MMS, being essentially the most honorable man I’ve encountered in public life, wouldn’t be happy with the abatement and closure which dying brings to a felony prosecution however would insist on an exoneration.
Secondly, he could possibly be brutally and embarrassingly candid within the firm of trusted individuals. In entrance of a then sitting cupboard minister and a senior woman civil servant from Punjab within the PMO, he informed me instantly about one in every of his deepest regrets qua me, whereas hinting at forces past his management. Decency and confidentiality inhibit me from disclosing the topic of that comment. He repeated that to me not less than 4 occasions subsequently.
Thirdly, he made it a degree to recollect his mates and nicely wishers no matter the exalted posts he held. Regardless of bickering and back-biting in some quarters concerning Narasimha Rao, MMS frequently visited him in his final years and went for nearly all of Rao’s delivery and/or dying anniversaries until his well being permitted. He made appreciable efforts to vary his applications to condole my father’s dying in 2007 and to attend the marriage of my two sons, one in 2013 and the opposite in 2015. Gursharan ji’s nice curiosity in and profound information of music meant that whereas she attended lots of my spouse’s ghazal and Sufi live shows, ‘Dr Saheb’ additionally got here impromptu for a pair, as soon as as a sitting PM and one other after demitting workplace. He was simplicity personified and had completely no airs and pretenses.
Fourthly, I’ve but to see an Indian politician who saved his household so scrupulously insulated from his public life and, reciprocally, how a lot his spouse and three daughters (one overseas) have shunned public glare, glamour and media consideration. I used to be truly in the identical batch of St Stephen’s Faculty as his daughter Upinder. She did Historical past (Hons) and I Economics. We knew one another although not nicely. Not as soon as did anybody from the MMS household try to leverage his exalted standing and never as soon as did it even enter my thoughts to take advantage of my acquaintance with Upinder. All the ecosystem by which MMS thought, labored, lived and operated was far, distant from such approaches.
As a Trinity, Cambridge alumnus, I might ask him about his drive which made him one of many few non-academics I knew in India with levels from each of Oxbridge. He would wryly say that having studied underneath kerosene lamps and streetlights, he understood early on that training was the best equalizer.
I hope India has the great fortune of getting such an illustrious son once more within the close to future although I consider that it’s going to be very, very tough.
(The author is an eminent lawyer & Rajya Sabha MP)
