Friday, September 15, 2006
M. J. Akbar suggests permanent role for successful technocrats like I. K. Gujral and Manmohan Singh
Editor
The Asian Age FAX 422 9048
Mumbai
24 February, 1997
Mr. M. J. Akbar's suggestion (Asian Age, 23/2, In praise... Gujral) of a permanent role for successful technocrats like I.K. Gujral and Manmohan Singh, without any reference to their political affiliations or fortunes, has some notable precedents at least in neighbouring Pakistan, where non-partisan and exceptional talents of people like Sahebzada Yakub Khan are always drawn upon to ensure stability and continuity to fundamental policy strategies of the nation, even through Government changes. It is amazing that the two performers who have served India with exceptional brilliance, have opposite - rightist and leftist - orientations, but when it comes to India's best interests, they have the capacity to rise above the narrow confines of ideology and with total fidelity and confidence, pursue the policy initiatives, that would have normally been unexpected of ideologues and prisoners of vested interests. It is an open question whether the current coalition polity has blurred the ideological boundaries and pragmatism has thrown a new and more sensible style of governance and that it is this pragmatism that has over ruled all old fixations of the last fifty years, which can easily be traced back to several personalized and party insecurities now passé with the coming of age of political consensus and coalition and opening of new opportunities in economic and social fields.
#227
The Asian Age FAX 422 9048
Mumbai
24 February, 1997
Mr. M. J. Akbar's suggestion (Asian Age, 23/2, In praise... Gujral) of a permanent role for successful technocrats like I.K. Gujral and Manmohan Singh, without any reference to their political affiliations or fortunes, has some notable precedents at least in neighbouring Pakistan, where non-partisan and exceptional talents of people like Sahebzada Yakub Khan are always drawn upon to ensure stability and continuity to fundamental policy strategies of the nation, even through Government changes. It is amazing that the two performers who have served India with exceptional brilliance, have opposite - rightist and leftist - orientations, but when it comes to India's best interests, they have the capacity to rise above the narrow confines of ideology and with total fidelity and confidence, pursue the policy initiatives, that would have normally been unexpected of ideologues and prisoners of vested interests. It is an open question whether the current coalition polity has blurred the ideological boundaries and pragmatism has thrown a new and more sensible style of governance and that it is this pragmatism that has over ruled all old fixations of the last fifty years, which can easily be traced back to several personalized and party insecurities now passé with the coming of age of political consensus and coalition and opening of new opportunities in economic and social fields.
#227
