Vajpayee’s analogy is neither stupid nor mixed up. Parashurama went around the world 21 times trying to eliminate the race of Kshatriyas from the world. If you think, as Vajpayee probably does, that it was an unpleasant, thankless, but necessary task that was ultimately unsuccessful, then you’ve got perfectly what he thinks of the whole thing. He is tired and is now passing on the mantle to the next generation, but without really achieving anything that he hoped to achieve.
Vajpayee’s analogies have always been expressive. I remember when he was becoming the Prime Minister for the first time (the 13 day stint in 1996). He was talking about how the road ahead led through a thorny bush, and there was the danger of the dress getting torn. The same feeling – an unpleasant task that had to be done, but which would ultimately bring no credit to him.
Then there was the time when he made a “clever” statement that got lost in translation to English. It was about his saying that he would always be a Swayamsevak. That is not what he said. He said in Hindi that whether he remained a Rashtriya Swayam Sevak or not, he would still remain the Rashtra’s Pratham Sevak, i.e. nation’s First Servant. A cute phrasing – First Servant would loosely translate to “Prime Minister”. So basically, he was subtly saying that his loyalties lay to the country and not to the organization.
Anyway, it is sadder to see a mind being lost than a body coming to an end, especially a mind like Vajpayee’s. From all accounts, he is slowly loosing grip over his mind due to Parkinson’s. I just hope that flashes like these continue to be displayed for as long as it lasts.
Ravikiran,
Nice, insightful post. A nice departure from the other post which was more like a rant with little respect for a great man.
In the end, I think history would judge Mr. Vajpayee kindly.
Regards.
Great point.
It is actually kiddish to relate everything said or done by someone of the stature of Mr. Vajpayee to the petty politics being played within the BJP.
I think Vajpayee will be credited for bringing back credibility,honesty, and decency back to Indian politics. He was a created leader in many ways – Arun Jaitley, Pramod Mahajan, Sushma Swaraj projected him as the public face of the party so that they could get elected and do their thing. Vajpayee was more interested in writing poetry than bombing across the LOC, or doing anything about the Economy; he was a poet-diplomat who the group elevated to the status of a leader. Certainly not in the mould of Nehru, Indira, Rajeev. I liked the guy though -would make a good President someday.
Blog this R:
Should there be quotas in the private sector?
http://in.rediff.com/money/2006/jan/03msg.htm
Nice post.
A man of the intelligence and stature of Mr Vajpayee, and with his acute sense for playing with words, should not be looked merely within the framwork of petty politics. It takes some real sitting back and thinking to understand his words and the subtlities involved, and any rash judgement upon his words could actually backfire.
Well said! The man had potential to be great had he been more of a hardliner. Sadly, he ended up being more influenced by Nehru than Masani, Chagla or Rajagopalchari.
Hypothetically speaking.
Will anyone support me for candidature !
And what is more important , vote for me !