Mahatma Gandhi became the Congress president in 1924. He ensured that Sarojini Naidu got elected the following year. In the India of 1925, it was a revolutionary step.
Look at the India of today. It is a matter of pride to see ladies heading political parties and state governments. Mayawati, J Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and Sheila Dikshit run some of India’s most important states. Sonia Gandhi is in a class of her own. Without her the Congress party would go downhill, galloping all the way. Look at our neighbourhood. Sheikh Hasina is Bangladesh’s prime minister. Her predecessor was Khaleda Zia, a temperamental lady. The world’s first woman prime minister was Sirimavo Bandaranaik in 1960, following her husband’s assassination. Next came the indomitable Golda Meir of Israel. She was popular and respected, much like Indira Gandhi, who was India’s prime minister from 1966 to 1977 and then from 1980 to 1984 — that’s 15 years. Margaret Thatcher was prime minister for 11 years. The lady who mesmerised South America was the beauteous Eva Peron. Today Argentina, Brazil and Chile have women as presidents.
What is my point? As many as 80 per cent of women presidents and prime ministers have not been corrupt. Moreover, women leaders are more dignified and gentle. The stoicism of Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi is unmatched. Male parliamentarians and legislators in India, on the other hand, display simulated hysteria.
Do women perform better than men? Do they inspire more confidence and compassion? Yes, they do. Would I prefer to be ruled by a woman or a man (Well, I am ruled by my wife every day)? Looking around the globe, one cannot but conclude that male leaders are creating a greater mess than their female colleagues. Look at Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Genghis Khan, Hitler and Stalin — all were men. I am being subjective here. Objectivity discards passion, and a life without passion would be intolerable.
Moving on to cricket, the sport is the talk of the town. Only a few weeks ago, it was the toast of the town. Yesterday’s cricket heroes are today’s villains. Admonition has replaced adulation. An entirely English invention has become an Indian obsession. It is a harmless obsession. I would prefer my grandsons to play and watch cricket than visit drug dens and indulge in alcoholic binges. The game has been transformed. Commercialisation has led to match fixing. Young players are paid huge amounts. Endorsements provide a near-fatal attraction. Highly gifted and talented young men in their twenties and thirties cannot handle the cash or the excessive publicity and popularity. These trends are irreversible.
Now on the current tour of the Indian cricket team to Britain. Its performance at Lord’s and Trent Bridge has been dismal. Those who cheered have now resorted to jeers. To some extent, the public anger and disappointment are understandable. It is a spectacular let-down. As for me, I love the game. In my youth, I used to play cricket at the college level and read a lot of books on the sport. My in-laws were pioneering patrons of the game. I strongly feel M S Dhoni and company will bounce back. They must be feeling rotten. India should not abandon them. Mr Dhoni’s handling of the Bell incident is praiseworthy. He, along with senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, took the right decision. The spirit of the game triumphed. The credit goes to the entire team. Redemption is possible. Winning the remaining two tests can help achieve the goal.
Moving on to Sonia Gandhi’s trip to Dhaka last week. Though it was an important event, it did not attract much attention. After a long time, India’s relations with Bangladesh are improving. India is investing heavily in that country. Ms Gandhi’s short visit helped strengthen our bilateral relations with that nation. Bangladesh’s geo-strategic location is of vital importance.
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Veteran journalist Inder Jit, who passed away last week, was my senior at St Stephen’s college. Later we got to know each other well. He never betrayed anybody’s trust. If a story was off the record, it remained so. He performed well in the Lok Sabha. His work as a journalist and his memory will endure.
TAILPIECE
Ranjan Mathai is an exceptionally able product of the Indian Foreign Service. He is calm, conscientious, competent and amiable. However, he is publicity-shy. Mr Mathai has done well to spell out his priorities. Wishing you all the best, Mr Foreign Secretary.