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By Sunil Mittal
I have been meaning to write this piece for a few weeks, but every time I start, I hesitate to do so as I am reminded of the sermons I received from Shri Yashwant Sinha in this very paper, after I penned down an open letter to the opposition exhorting them to support some very important legislations that were stuck in Parliament for want of political support. " Politics is best left to politicians" was Yashwant Ji's response. I took it as a sound advice from an elder statesman and a well-wisher, who has always shown warmth and affection towards me. My purpose even then was not to indulge in politics.
Today, I hope I will again not meander into politics; for good measure, I have chosen to write this only after the last vote has been cast.
But if I end up sounding political without any intent to be so, I would seek the reader's generosity in understanding my sentiments towards a person I have come to admire and respect, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Two weeks ago, I hosted a dinner for close friends, which promised to be another fun evening. But as is the wont in any dinner in this capital city of Delhi, politics would certainly be a topic over some malt and wine, and this dinner was, therefore, no different. At the dinner table I could not but help ask a question— How do you rate Dr.Manmohan Singh? And knowing the general mood, added for good measure, "under the given circumstances." There were some mild protests on this qualification, but it soon settled down.
The rule I laid out was that everyone will give a rating on a scale of 10, and those who were between 4 and 7 need not explain, but those outside this range must explain in a short two-minute capsule so as to allow all to get their voice before we finished the dinner.
I invoked the host's prerogative to kick off first, wanting to set the tone. I gave a score of 8 and immediately, the noise and excitement level around the table went up with most groaning, but a few smiling knowing what I was trying to do...setting the tone. It was a table of 16, and what followed saddened me but did not surprise me.
Another guest who also had the benefit of knowing the Prime Minister was also at 8, a few at midpoint, but it was the majority which gave marks below the threshold that set the course of the discussion at the dinner that evening, with the minority led by me trying to hold the onslaught. After a feisty and animated evening, which went into wee hours, I retired for the night with mixed feelings.
Yes, I admire Dr Manmohan Singh and always will. I have reasons to and I feel that I should share some of these, even if it's not the most popular thing to do today. Another reason is Sanjaya Baru's recent book, 'The Accidental Prime Minister,' a very well written and enjoyable chronicle capturing some vital events, mood and the persona of Dr.Manmohan Singh. I just finished reading the book on flights to and back from Abuja, where I had gone to co-chair the World Economic Forum on Africa.
The book, which in large parts is a celebration of the Manmohan Singh era, easily resonated with me as the events in the book and importantly Dr. Singh's deep concern for the good of the nation has been witnessed by me, albeit from some distance.
I had the chance to witness the evolution of the Nuclear Deal into Dr. Singh's legacy as he assiduously, piece by piece, crafted the Indo-US nuclear deal against all odds including risking his government. As the president of CII, I led a very successful trip of business leaders to the US and also met Indian political leaders to play our part in the process.
Having participated in several important meetings led by the Prime Minister, in particular the CEO forums between India and the US, UK, Russia and Japan and many others, I have witnessed the deep impact he has made on the world stage espousing India's position and securing advantages for India and its industry.
As a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry, I have seen him dealing with critical national issues and ensuring that conflicting positions were resolved expeditiously.
One example that readily comes to my mind is the setting up of a Committee on Financial Inclusion when the telecom industry and the banking sector had a face off at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.
Amongst the list of members on the committee was a surprise inclusion, Rama Babu, late Shri Rama Prasad Goenka, doyen of Indian industry. I was intrigued as to why would the PM have Rama Babu on the committee given that the battle was between the march of technology and the strong apprehension the banking industry had about the participation of mobile companies in financial sector, an impregnable fortress of their industry. He was neither in banking nor telecom. But, he was an accomplished business man who would bear to the table his years of valuable experience, and the PM knew that he will play the role of an honest referee, which he indeed did with aplomb.
I have also personally experienced the huge admiration and extraordinary respect that Dr. Singh commands from his peer group across the world. In my wide travels across the world and my meetings with various Heads of States, be that Africa or South Asia, Singapore or in high level meetings in the US, UK or Japan, one common mention is about Dr. Singh's extraordinary reputation as a Wise Man, an outstanding Economist and a fine Gentleman.
His humility is seen as a rare trait amongst leaders and never mistaken as a weakness by international leaders. Unfortunately, he was not able to correct the perception back home.
Sanjay is right when he states that Dr.Singh is extremely relaxed in the company of intellectuals and academics, and enjoys talking about diverse issues concerning the globe. I can relate one incident in November of 2011 when the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a foremost think tank based out of Washington DC on which I serve, called upon the PM at 7RCR.
The conversations covered wide ranging topics and in particular Indo-US relations. Every time a member of the delegation started a conversation, Dr. Singh would end the sentence with a flourish. This kept on for over half an hour as we were all being regaled by stories from the glorious past of Indo-US relationship right from Nehru's time.
This despite the fact that we were way over our allotted time and the minders were reminding the PM to wind up. II being the only Indian in the room, (not counting Ashley Tellis of the Carnegie), could not but have my chest swell up with pride. What a moment it was to behold! The Prime Minister holding up his own to a galaxy of foreign policy and security experts singlehandedly.
I have also been witness to some of his speeches where he has made every Indian proud, be that his speech to the Joint Session at the Capitol Hill in DC or his acceptance speech while receiving his Doctorate from HRH Prince Phillips at a glittering ceremony at Cambridge. One cannot but feel good to have had a leader like Dr. Manmohan Singh representing India on the world stage.
Equally, he has done a lot for the Indian economy, be that opening up of FDI or promoting infrastructure projects. Yes, he could have asserted himself more and corrected the perception of inaction in the last couple of years. But I bring back the qualification "under the given circumstances" and stick my neck out to say, he did a fine job.
History, I have no doubt, will judge him better than some of the present day commentators, who chose to overlook both the goodness of the man and his extraordinary work.
As Sanjaya eloquently put it up in his book"...However, he remains not just a good man but, in the final analysis, also a good Prime Minister...a cut above the competition, be it from the ruling congress party, or....in other parties." There is a very good tradition followed in the west of utilising the services of the former Heads of State to deal with critical issues of national and international importance.
Whether it's to appoint Tony Blair to deal with the Middle East or climate issues, or Gordon Brown to deal with education of the poor girl child, or the former US Presidents representing their country on world stage, the present day leaders of nations use experience and talent of their predecessors to add weight to their political agenda. I hope India's next Prime Minister will make use of the vast experience and wisdom of Dr. Manmohan Singh for the benefit of the nation.
For it can be very lonely at the top especially when confronted with politically explosive situations. As I wish and pray for the glorious success of the next Prime Minister, I wish Dr. Manmohan Singh good health, happiness and a long life.
Sunil Mittal: Under the given circumstances, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did a fine job - The Economic Times
I have been meaning to write this piece for a few weeks, but every time I start, I hesitate to do so as I am reminded of the sermons I received from Shri Yashwant Sinha in this very paper, after I penned down an open letter to the opposition exhorting them to support some very important legislations that were stuck in Parliament for want of political support. " Politics is best left to politicians" was Yashwant Ji's response. I took it as a sound advice from an elder statesman and a well-wisher, who has always shown warmth and affection towards me. My purpose even then was not to indulge in politics.
Today, I hope I will again not meander into politics; for good measure, I have chosen to write this only after the last vote has been cast.
But if I end up sounding political without any intent to be so, I would seek the reader's generosity in understanding my sentiments towards a person I have come to admire and respect, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Two weeks ago, I hosted a dinner for close friends, which promised to be another fun evening. But as is the wont in any dinner in this capital city of Delhi, politics would certainly be a topic over some malt and wine, and this dinner was, therefore, no different. At the dinner table I could not but help ask a question— How do you rate Dr.Manmohan Singh? And knowing the general mood, added for good measure, "under the given circumstances." There were some mild protests on this qualification, but it soon settled down.
The rule I laid out was that everyone will give a rating on a scale of 10, and those who were between 4 and 7 need not explain, but those outside this range must explain in a short two-minute capsule so as to allow all to get their voice before we finished the dinner.
I invoked the host's prerogative to kick off first, wanting to set the tone. I gave a score of 8 and immediately, the noise and excitement level around the table went up with most groaning, but a few smiling knowing what I was trying to do...setting the tone. It was a table of 16, and what followed saddened me but did not surprise me.
Another guest who also had the benefit of knowing the Prime Minister was also at 8, a few at midpoint, but it was the majority which gave marks below the threshold that set the course of the discussion at the dinner that evening, with the minority led by me trying to hold the onslaught. After a feisty and animated evening, which went into wee hours, I retired for the night with mixed feelings.
Yes, I admire Dr Manmohan Singh and always will. I have reasons to and I feel that I should share some of these, even if it's not the most popular thing to do today. Another reason is Sanjaya Baru's recent book, 'The Accidental Prime Minister,' a very well written and enjoyable chronicle capturing some vital events, mood and the persona of Dr.Manmohan Singh. I just finished reading the book on flights to and back from Abuja, where I had gone to co-chair the World Economic Forum on Africa.
The book, which in large parts is a celebration of the Manmohan Singh era, easily resonated with me as the events in the book and importantly Dr. Singh's deep concern for the good of the nation has been witnessed by me, albeit from some distance.
I had the chance to witness the evolution of the Nuclear Deal into Dr. Singh's legacy as he assiduously, piece by piece, crafted the Indo-US nuclear deal against all odds including risking his government. As the president of CII, I led a very successful trip of business leaders to the US and also met Indian political leaders to play our part in the process.
Having participated in several important meetings led by the Prime Minister, in particular the CEO forums between India and the US, UK, Russia and Japan and many others, I have witnessed the deep impact he has made on the world stage espousing India's position and securing advantages for India and its industry.
As a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry, I have seen him dealing with critical national issues and ensuring that conflicting positions were resolved expeditiously.
One example that readily comes to my mind is the setting up of a Committee on Financial Inclusion when the telecom industry and the banking sector had a face off at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.
Amongst the list of members on the committee was a surprise inclusion, Rama Babu, late Shri Rama Prasad Goenka, doyen of Indian industry. I was intrigued as to why would the PM have Rama Babu on the committee given that the battle was between the march of technology and the strong apprehension the banking industry had about the participation of mobile companies in financial sector, an impregnable fortress of their industry. He was neither in banking nor telecom. But, he was an accomplished business man who would bear to the table his years of valuable experience, and the PM knew that he will play the role of an honest referee, which he indeed did with aplomb.
I have also personally experienced the huge admiration and extraordinary respect that Dr. Singh commands from his peer group across the world. In my wide travels across the world and my meetings with various Heads of States, be that Africa or South Asia, Singapore or in high level meetings in the US, UK or Japan, one common mention is about Dr. Singh's extraordinary reputation as a Wise Man, an outstanding Economist and a fine Gentleman.
His humility is seen as a rare trait amongst leaders and never mistaken as a weakness by international leaders. Unfortunately, he was not able to correct the perception back home.
Sanjay is right when he states that Dr.Singh is extremely relaxed in the company of intellectuals and academics, and enjoys talking about diverse issues concerning the globe. I can relate one incident in November of 2011 when the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a foremost think tank based out of Washington DC on which I serve, called upon the PM at 7RCR.
The conversations covered wide ranging topics and in particular Indo-US relations. Every time a member of the delegation started a conversation, Dr. Singh would end the sentence with a flourish. This kept on for over half an hour as we were all being regaled by stories from the glorious past of Indo-US relationship right from Nehru's time.
This despite the fact that we were way over our allotted time and the minders were reminding the PM to wind up. II being the only Indian in the room, (not counting Ashley Tellis of the Carnegie), could not but have my chest swell up with pride. What a moment it was to behold! The Prime Minister holding up his own to a galaxy of foreign policy and security experts singlehandedly.
I have also been witness to some of his speeches where he has made every Indian proud, be that his speech to the Joint Session at the Capitol Hill in DC or his acceptance speech while receiving his Doctorate from HRH Prince Phillips at a glittering ceremony at Cambridge. One cannot but feel good to have had a leader like Dr. Manmohan Singh representing India on the world stage.
Equally, he has done a lot for the Indian economy, be that opening up of FDI or promoting infrastructure projects. Yes, he could have asserted himself more and corrected the perception of inaction in the last couple of years. But I bring back the qualification "under the given circumstances" and stick my neck out to say, he did a fine job.
History, I have no doubt, will judge him better than some of the present day commentators, who chose to overlook both the goodness of the man and his extraordinary work.
As Sanjaya eloquently put it up in his book"...However, he remains not just a good man but, in the final analysis, also a good Prime Minister...a cut above the competition, be it from the ruling congress party, or....in other parties." There is a very good tradition followed in the west of utilising the services of the former Heads of State to deal with critical issues of national and international importance.
Whether it's to appoint Tony Blair to deal with the Middle East or climate issues, or Gordon Brown to deal with education of the poor girl child, or the former US Presidents representing their country on world stage, the present day leaders of nations use experience and talent of their predecessors to add weight to their political agenda. I hope India's next Prime Minister will make use of the vast experience and wisdom of Dr. Manmohan Singh for the benefit of the nation.
For it can be very lonely at the top especially when confronted with politically explosive situations. As I wish and pray for the glorious success of the next Prime Minister, I wish Dr. Manmohan Singh good health, happiness and a long life.
Sunil Mittal: Under the given circumstances, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did a fine job - The Economic Times
