Then the angels came for the 'learned saint'

Guest Column: Gopinath Menon, a Delhi-based business strategist, writes why the angels in the heaven must be surprised and amused looking at Dr Manmohan Singh

by Gopinath Menon
Published: Dec 27, 2024 5:52 PM | 4 min read

I rarely pen down obituaries. I remember one I had done for Tiger Pataudi, I think in 20011 and then Dr Varghese Kurien some years later. Never dreamt of a politician or a neta obituary as they never came across as neither real nor dignified. Not Dr Manmohan Singh. This gentleman was of a different pedigree.

However, what made me write this is an interesting and blatant insight about the political tribe. How they will never let go of an opportunity to kill 2 birds with one stone. Which is to come across as a holy cow and push their opposition further into a corner. The passing away of Dr Singh glaringly highlights this aspect.

Dr Singh was different in many ways. Firstly, he although was a true devout Sikh, he still was unlike one. He was not built like one, never had the aggressive mannerisms, was never loud but very soft spoken, never dressed flamboyantly, and always underplayed his achievements. This low profile but clarity in focus made him the envy of many within the party but also in the opposition. The unique aspect was his refusal to react to allegations. This I felt was the demonstration of stature and integrity. Traits that are rare of find these days.

Just rewind life for a decade after he stepped out of office. Just re run the footage of over 200 TV News Channels accusing him of various wrongs. The famed articulate politicians of the opposing parties spared little to belittle him, to ridicule him. The famous branding of “Maun Mohan Singh’ is etched clear in public minds. Now the same politicians are spending the entire day hunting for new superlatives to describe him.

What does it tell you? Does it tell you that earlier they were right and now they are wrong? Does it reflect on the mindset, the lineage of the current politician? Or does it focus on the degeneration our society is going through? How can black and white both be right? They say “You cannot be half pregnant, but this seems to be sadly the case. Anything for 30 seconds of prime time seems to be the political mantra these days.

He refused to react even when his own Media Advisor after remitting office authored the book “The Accidental Prime Minister“ He maintained his dignity and kept mum even when it culminated in a flop film later.

Enough has been said about his days in the faculty of D School, Delhi University, then London School of Economics, His Doctorate from Cambridge and his honorary degree conferred on him by Oxford.

Name a single entity in public life that has successfully worn so many hats. Faculty member University of Delhi, then Finance Minister, Dy Chairman Planning Commission, Member Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister for 2 consecutive terms !

An example of his simplicity. Kanak Nair, my wife had the opportunity to interview him once as FM and twice as PM during her days as a Special Correspondent with the Kyodo News Service of Japan. She narrated their breakfast meeting at the PM residence. There were fresh oranges and dry toast without butter offered with good old dalia. The Japanese crew were pleasantly shocked but very impressed as breakfast finished in 10 mins and the interview chat lasted close to an hour. They were used to heads of state leaving no stone unturned to pamper and zap the fourth estate. This was the simplicity that the man observed without any fanfare.

Lastly, we saw a glimpse of his personality after the famed ordinance tearing episode where the entire fourth estate and the neta’s went hammer and tongs after him. I still remember the golden words he uttered in the Press Conference: “History will judge me better than what you all have done now” How right he was!

I imagine when the entire fourth estate and the herd of politicians are singing lullaby’s of praise, will any TV channel dare and show the earlier footage ! I seriously doubt it.

However, Dr Singh up above with the angels must be surprised, amused and will be gleefully chuckling away, and screaming “See, what I told you”. He finally has had the last laugh and hence we need to celebrate his life and not mourn over it. It’s also a big lesson for the political cravers, to choose your words carefully.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views of exchange4media.com.