MR. RAHUL GANDHI
The over-hyped youth icon which can make or break "Future of India"
Few months back, there was a mass mail doing rounds of internet, the mail compared Mr. Kejriwal (Anna team) to Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Although the original mail composer, did justice to prove how Mr. Kejriwal truly (??) represent the youth of India when compared to Mr. Rahul Gandhi, it failed to account for the most important characteristic of the equation, the surname "Gandhi". Before I proceed with writing down my thoughts about Mr. Rahul Gandhi, I want to make 2 things clear. First, I have nothing against Congress party or I do not belong to a certain party. Second, my opinions about Mr. Gandhi are oblivious of the current status of Congress party, which may or may not reflect the popular opinion.
To start with, I am not a political critique, nor a avid blogger, or do not claim to know anything and everything about Indian politics. But, an article by Soutik Biswas called "Waiting for Rahul Gandhi" inspired me. Half way through the article it felt like making of "Sarkar Raj: Part 3". When Rahul Gandhi first came in limelight in around 2007, I was really impressed by him (again keeping away Congress from him just as a person). That was the time when young politicians like Rahul Gandhi, Raj Thakaray, Milind Deora etc were coming up. I was really impressed by his attitude, and first time thought, this is the guy, who has the right combination of charisma, talent (??), wit, and political backing to do something great one day. When he was criticized for lack experience, he decided to take a step back and started working from behind the curtain, his election to the general secretary of Congress made him de-facto second in line for the Congress president throne. But what followed was a series of debacles and amateur mistakes; he stayed out of action too long, he made couple of futile attempts to gain popularity by what I can stunts (sleeping at someones place, fighting for some farmers) none of which actually gave him what he was looking for, acceptance by rural India that he is one of the "son of land". In short, all his efforts in past 5 years to establish himself as a successful politician (on his own) has failed miserably. His decisions in past few years have made me realize that the wit, charisma, and talent, I thought he had 5 years back were nothing but the "Gandhi" surname after him, on his own he is still not ready to take charge of the country. But, going back to my point in the first paragraph, he has something which no one in India has, Gandhi after his surname. Unfortunately, if congress happens to win in 2014 elections, there is a strong possibility that Rahul Gandhi will be named the Prime Minister. The only upside to this is, he is young, as compared to some of the oldies, he might realize that he can come to power on the Gandhi name, but he will have to work really hard to stay in power.
I know, one might not agree with me on this, but "Future of India" is not in the hands of youth, it is not in the hands of Mr. Anna Hazare, and its definitely not in the hands of Mr. Arun Kejriwal, but it is in facts in the hands of "Mr. Rahul Gandhi". If either of Anna Hazare of Kejriwal come in the politics, they loose the very foundation of the their support "non politically driven activists", and people will treat them no better than any other politician. Youth on India, well, it will take a strong, bloody revolution like Egypt or Libya for youth of India to take control the "Future of India", in mean time, Mr. Rahul "Gandhi" will have to carry the burden of the "Future of India". If he lives up to the expectations in the next few years and actually grows as a seasoned youth leader before assuming the post of Prime Minister he can make a big difference.
The over-hyped youth icon which can make or break "Future of India"
Few months back, there was a mass mail doing rounds of internet, the mail compared Mr. Kejriwal (Anna team) to Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Although the original mail composer, did justice to prove how Mr. Kejriwal truly (??) represent the youth of India when compared to Mr. Rahul Gandhi, it failed to account for the most important characteristic of the equation, the surname "Gandhi". Before I proceed with writing down my thoughts about Mr. Rahul Gandhi, I want to make 2 things clear. First, I have nothing against Congress party or I do not belong to a certain party. Second, my opinions about Mr. Gandhi are oblivious of the current status of Congress party, which may or may not reflect the popular opinion.
To start with, I am not a political critique, nor a avid blogger, or do not claim to know anything and everything about Indian politics. But, an article by Soutik Biswas called "Waiting for Rahul Gandhi" inspired me. Half way through the article it felt like making of "Sarkar Raj: Part 3". When Rahul Gandhi first came in limelight in around 2007, I was really impressed by him (again keeping away Congress from him just as a person). That was the time when young politicians like Rahul Gandhi, Raj Thakaray, Milind Deora etc were coming up. I was really impressed by his attitude, and first time thought, this is the guy, who has the right combination of charisma, talent (??), wit, and political backing to do something great one day. When he was criticized for lack experience, he decided to take a step back and started working from behind the curtain, his election to the general secretary of Congress made him de-facto second in line for the Congress president throne. But what followed was a series of debacles and amateur mistakes; he stayed out of action too long, he made couple of futile attempts to gain popularity by what I can stunts (sleeping at someones place, fighting for some farmers) none of which actually gave him what he was looking for, acceptance by rural India that he is one of the "son of land". In short, all his efforts in past 5 years to establish himself as a successful politician (on his own) has failed miserably. His decisions in past few years have made me realize that the wit, charisma, and talent, I thought he had 5 years back were nothing but the "Gandhi" surname after him, on his own he is still not ready to take charge of the country. But, going back to my point in the first paragraph, he has something which no one in India has, Gandhi after his surname. Unfortunately, if congress happens to win in 2014 elections, there is a strong possibility that Rahul Gandhi will be named the Prime Minister. The only upside to this is, he is young, as compared to some of the oldies, he might realize that he can come to power on the Gandhi name, but he will have to work really hard to stay in power.
I know, one might not agree with me on this, but "Future of India" is not in the hands of youth, it is not in the hands of Mr. Anna Hazare, and its definitely not in the hands of Mr. Arun Kejriwal, but it is in facts in the hands of "Mr. Rahul Gandhi". If either of Anna Hazare of Kejriwal come in the politics, they loose the very foundation of the their support "non politically driven activists", and people will treat them no better than any other politician. Youth on India, well, it will take a strong, bloody revolution like Egypt or Libya for youth of India to take control the "Future of India", in mean time, Mr. Rahul "Gandhi" will have to carry the burden of the "Future of India". If he lives up to the expectations in the next few years and actually grows as a seasoned youth leader before assuming the post of Prime Minister he can make a big difference.
