A book on Modi as a Leader tells it all

[Continued from yesterday]

The author of the book, Dr. Balasubramaniam (he is a Medical Doctor) aptly describes Modi as a visionary leader because only such leaders can take risk and try new things. And Modi does take risk and try new schemes, new laws. Much research seemed to have gone into the ‘making’ of this book, identifying various qualities a leader should have, and finding them in Modi.

The reader is given a dose of these qualities in the form of aphorisms taken from various Hindu scriptures and mythology, including Panchatantra, which describe leadership qualities. For example the book begins with a verse from the Katha Upanishad 1.3.14: Arise, awake find out the great ones and learn of them; for sharp as a razor’s edge, hard to traverse, difficult of going is that path, say the sages.

The book gives the reader glimpses of Modi’s public life for over 50 years focusing mainly on his leadership qualities as a RSS Pracharak and later as a politician. There is also an undercurrent of a message in Mod’s life which says that in a country like India, steeped deeply in religious beliefs, to be an acceptable leader one must be a believer himself, no matter in what God or religion. After all leadership is always in context. That’s why we get an Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Adolf Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mao Tse-Tung and Narendra Modi for example.

Question is often asked whether it is history that makes a leader or a leader who makes history. The answer is, it is the leader who makes history, both in times of chaos, anarchy, war or peace. On such occasions, the one born with the leadership qualities will rush to the vanguard to take charge and lead. It is called enlightened leadership that this book finds in Modi.

To put this in words short and sharp we must go to Gen. George S. Patton who said: ‘Lead, follow or get out of my way.’ Unfortunately, some times, in India though the leader is incapable of leading or following, he will not get out of the way. He will remain an obstructionist. Fortuitously, for now we have a leader, Modi. Country’s security is in the safe hands, its economy on upward swing and its cultural heritage reclaimed.

Dr. Balasubramaniam, towards the end of his dialogue with Deepthi Navaratna spoke of three role models among world leaders whom Modi admired most. They are Abraham Lincoln of US, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and Deng Xiaoping of China.

Abraham Lincoln as President of US saved the unity of US in the Civil War between the Unionists who wanted to abolish the pernicious slavery and Confederates who wanted to maintain it. America was saved as one country under his leadership and slavery was abolished.

Lee Kuan Yew was renowned for his exceptional leadership in transforming the country, from a poor Island nation with chaotic internal strife, into a prosperous global hub.

And the third role-model was Deng Xiaoping of China, Chairman, the Supreme leader. He was responsible for China’s turnaround of its sinking economy between 1978-1989. He ushered in radical changes by shifting the paradigm of economic planning without diverging from the communist principle. Modi too is doing the same without compromising on our Constitution, no matter power-mongers are waiting in the lounge accusing Modi of planning to change the Constitution.

The author Dr. Balasubramaniam says that Modi’s leadership as PM has enabled our ancient land of vedas, great epics, magnificent temples, study of mathematics, medicine and astronomy to reclaim these lost heritages and stay culturally rooted after centuries of foreign rule.

Undoubtedly this is a book waiting to be written and we should be happy it is now written by one fully qualified to write being in constant contact with Modi in Delhi.

The author rightly hopes that this book will serve as a well-spring of inspiration and a moral guide for our politicians and all those in charge of their country’s administration. A reading of this book is sure to benefit the students aspiring to become leaders in their chosen field of career, politics or other areas of their passion.

Summing up: Lives of people in different countries of the world have been shaped and changed often by one person, his vision and his idea — from Jesus Christ to Christopher Columbus. In India from Mahatma Gandhi to Narendra Modi.

They are history-makers. They are people who made religious and political history. They are leaders. But there are also those who shaped the world and made history — Scientists, artists, musicians, sportsmen. They too are leaders.

Many stumbled upon fame and became leaders accidentally — like Scientist Alexander Fleming or Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. In other cases, leadership is the result of years of patient hard work, self-belief in what the person is determined to achieve. And they have become icons in their own chosen field.

However, it is important for the people, specially in a Democracy like ours, to choose political leaders with great care and caution. It is they who shape the destiny of our country with their deeds, good or bad. Their decisions taken in a fleeting moment or while in power will impact the country as happened with India that is Bharat.

According to the theory of Greek Stoics, man’s destiny is determined by this logos: Man is like a dog tied to a moving wagon. If the dog refuses to run along with the wagon, he will be dragged by it, yet the choice remains his: to run or be dragged. In the same way, humans are responsible for their choices and actions. Are we ready to run together towards development or be dragged to be destroyed? Choose a good wagoner, leader and slowly run along with the wagon towards peace and progress.

Jai Hind

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