I think Gandhi was a decent spiritual man who really wanted harmony but the Hindu militants like RSS disliked his model of peaceful religiosity and communal harmony. Even to this day, Nehru remains the face of a real and only true leader of an India that was sprouting into great nation. As an Indian Muslim I find it interesting that Nehru inspite of represnting a Hindu image also represented a modern and progressive image that is now lacking. People in other countries, be it Pakistan, USA, UK, Egypt, Iran, and China have a larger than life impression of Nehru. They still remember how he visited these foreign lands and people the world over were in awe of everything about him..right from his famous Nehru-cut jacket to his erudite persona and graceful skill of communication. Even India Gandhi was overshadowed by her father. After Rajiv's death India really became lackluster and remains so inspite of all the economic gain when it comes having a great leader. When you see all the nations' leaders at the UN together you just wish that either Rajiv or Nehru were at the helm.
Re: Personality drought!
by hindian on Oct 02, 2008 05:27 PM Permalink
All leaders have good and bad sides but we must not forget that both Nehru and Rajieve were leaders in an era which was dominated by a single party. They were larger than life leaders and we are still paying for thier idiosynchracies. While Nehru was erudite but his legacy of Kashmir continues to fester even today and the same is true for Rajieve. He might have moved us to new frontiers but his bad decisions led to tumultous periods like Anti-Sikh Riots , Bofors , IPKF, Shah Bano Case, Unlocking of Ram-Temple gates etc.. were events that changed the course of the country for ever. His indecision and ambiguity about secularism led to the Rise of BJP to an extent that is now an alternative power to Congress. Particulary SHAH BANO case was a water-shed event that drove a lot of secular minded moderate hindus to the fold of rightist groups. The Nehru Clan's stong desire to be around throne also led to Language Riots in late 60s which was responsible for the southern dislike for the Hindi. What has marked the mindset of Ghandi's/Nehru is lack of ideology , where they took decisions devoid of ideology with the intent of appeasing everyone. They may have been good at PR but their record for country's uplift is really nothing to make an Indian Proud. Their mindset is reflected in the way the Congress party is at present , an undemocratic institution to just keep Ghandi's at the helm of affairs. An institution where a leader like Arjun Singh has to say Madam to be recognized.
