08 August, 2006

Leaders gift and gifted leaders

Last week there was an article in The Times. It carried a list of gifts received by top political leaders of UK. It was amazing to see that leaders like Tony Blair have received only gifts to the value of 1000 pounds (roughly INR 80000) and most of them are not retained by him. It goes the same for other leaders.

Also few months before there was a report published about the expenditure incurred by the local MP's from which we could make out the least spending MP. Our MP used to travel by public train to attend parliament sessions. I have seen him once self driving on road. He was so simple, that I could chat with him and he posed for a photo.

After reading that article, I thought about situation back home, and folded the paper with a big sigh. When are our leaders going to become so transparent, and serve honestly to the society without any selfish thoughts?

We did have great leaders in the past like Gandhiji, Rajaji, Kamaraj. I remember having read an article about a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who was straight forward to such an extent that he demanded a signature from a doctor who had come to attend when he had an heart attack to sign a agreement first stating that he will not come back for any obligation in return for the emergency help. It is a shame that I do not remember such a great Chief Minister. It will be great if someone could remember his name and let me know.

Will we ever get leaders like those in the past, atleast for the future generation? Let us only hope.

12 comments:

Narayanan Venkitu said...

Yeah, I wish!

I am glad to see sting operations these days ( Though nothing happens even that )

Even the Natwar Singh issue was broken by NDTV.

One of the reasons for me to move West was my inability to put up with Corruption etc..affecting our day to day lives.

I am still hopeful that our leaders will be like truthful and India will be corruption free. When? I don't know..But I hope it happens soon.

ambi said...

good info! i guess it's kamarajar. not sure. will check out with someone.
btw, i came to know that current pondichery CM Rangasamy is soo simple and used to travel in bike casually, enjoys tea in road side shops, also not married (this may be the main reason of being simple he hee)... let us hope for the best.

Chakra said...

Is it Kamarajar or Bakthavathsalam?

nullity said...

I share the same thoughts

R Girls said...

i heard one of them is kakkan..heard a lot about him. if we need this then we need to be leaders and show what leadership means.

Balaji S Rajan said...

Narayana - I too wish it happens soon. I knew that Manmohan Singh, when he was not in power after his tenure as RBI Governor, shocked the Airport officials, by standing in normal queue at Meenambakkam airport silently. It was one of those counter staff who identified him. Still he refused any importance and wanted to be treated normally. No need to tell about Abdul Kalam. So under their guidance, let us hope so...

Ambi - Nice to know about Pondicherry CM. You have given the statement with a punch of your humour too. He is unmarried and so... Boy... I shall ask your anna to inform your parents to get your legs tied...

Chakra - If I am right, I think it was someone who was CM before Madras was divided from Andhra or so. Someone talked about in a TV show.

Nullity - Thanks.

Barbienan - You may be right. But I am not sure. I heard this in one of the TV show long back.

tulipspeaks said...

leaders of the past were legends.i'm afraid its not the same now. at least not here in Malaysia.

nice thoughts!

=ammu=

Balaji S Rajan said...

amutha - Thanks for visiting. Nice to know that you have good leaders.

nullity said...

I think its time to appreciate the Hi-tech CM Chandrababu Naidu...He had set great examples and his contribution to AP was excellent...but why was he not elected???...whats happening with our peoples' thinking process???

Balaji S Rajan said...

Veda - Pondicherry is not very far off from Madras. Let us hope that it happens soon for Tamil Nadu people also.

Nullity - Yes I have heard a lot of Naidu. He is meant for his service to IT industry. I cannot understand how people did not elect him back to power.

Jeevan said...

One time I was traveling on the car in Kamarajar salai (Marina beach road), I wonder there was no vehicle coming opposite to us, the road was very clear. Because Chief Minister Karunanidhi was coming on that road, there was at least 6 to 7 vehicle coming with him. The police even took half on our side. When the government put heavy rules on the public, when they cross that who will ask them. I agree he was CM and should be secured, but why security for his party workers. In this matter, former CM J is better.

Like ambi said, Pondicherry CM is simple and he went on bike to canvass the people in the election time, when i was on the way to Kodaikanal this year, we were supposed to chase him with our car, he have two security car which goes before and after his vehicle.

Balaji S Rajan said...

Jeevan,

Pondicherry CM is unique. I am hearing about his simplicity. It will be nice if others learn from him.