India has created a new record, and
a good one. Incidentally chief protagonists are two time-tested politicians!
Both the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President Pranab Mukherjee
addressed and interacted with the students and the events were obviously
telecast live on national television as also the private channels.
The occasion was on-the-eve-of birth
anniversary (Sept 4) of country’s illustrious President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
Going by conventions of protocol and rightly so, first Prime Minister Modi took
the floor and shortly
after Modi interacted with nearly 800 students from nine states, - Manipur to
Karnataka- President Pranab Mukherjee himself turned teacher and taught school
students about the country's political history.
Art of Choreography: Statesmanship |
Venues were miles apart and the choreography - even if it was not there - seemed to have gone well!
Both had their homework done pretty well and in display of
smooth coordination between two top executives in country’s polity, PM Modi and
Prez Mukherjee almost had their speech compartmentalized.
While Modi with a typical neta characteristic
dwelt at length on enumerating future promises, Pranab Mukherjee stuck to his
statesman-type mannerism and dealt on the past trying to ignite the young minds
towards nation building and the cherished cause of democracy.
To start with, President Mukherjee,
a man with good memories, explained about the creation of the Constitution that
gave Indian people power to make their own laws.
A creation of Congress school of politics, the President
pointed out how Democracy was nurtured and how Democracy gives opportunity to the
common people to fulfill their aspirations. In this context, he pointed out how
several countries who emerged as independent nations from Pakistan, Indonesia
and Sri Lanka, and how they failed to keep up parliamentary democracy. He
mentioned about Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Dadabhai Naoroji as also P
V Narasimha Rao, who incidentally did not get his due from his Congress party
itself.
The State of affairs in Education |
“The
establishment of multi-party democratic system with Parliamentary form of government
was an important event,” Pranab da said.
On March
11, 2015, I was among the select group of journalists who called on Pranab
Mukherjee for an informal interaction over high tea. On that occasion too, he
made a brilliant speech – extempore and referring to historical dates and
anecdotes flawlessly.
Often
dubbed in the media as a five-foot nothing, Pranab Mukherjee is always a
pleasure to listen to and educative too. Students of Dr
Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya located in the sprawling President's Estate, however missed a glimpse of
Pranabda’s famous short temper – we working journalists often were blessed
with. On one occasion when economy under UPA-2 was going doldrums and Congress
had committed to creation to Telangana, our beloved President almost shut the
door of his car on my face and the verbal rebuke, I must say, would be
cherished!
For his part, Namo had his show well organized as he beamed sitting amidst his ministerial colleagues, Smriti Irani, Upendra Khushwaha (despite tension of allies pressure in Bihar polls) and Jayant Sinha.
Blogger with Pranabda |
At least my wife thought Modi put
up a better show ! Mind you, the Tripura lady is a daughter of a late Marxist
comrade from Manik Sarkar’s state!
“People
who have done well in their career should at least spend one hour per week or
100 hours in a year to teach students,” Modi said exhorting every individual to
pass on his or her knowledge. But Modi’s classic oneliner and an election
winner-type was: Maa..janam deti
hae.......Guru Jeevan deta hae.
(Mother
gives you birth but it is the teacher/Guru who makes your life)”.
What about their back pain? |
Post
Script:
But
what have we achieved by the live shows of two formidable public figures.
The idea to field Pranabda was pitched by Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Deputy Manish Sisodia. The President liked it
and gave consent to be part of the state government's programme 'Be a Teacher'
where famous people volunteer to take classes.
What was it all about?
Perhaps Modi would have answered this in his own style when
fielding a question on what is his favourite game, Prime Minister unraveled the
paradoxical quiz well:
"Everyone...knows what game...we
politicians play...." said Namo as
the likes of Smriti Irani smiled.
Did I hear somewhere, smiles often
conceal more than they reveal? All smiles teachers! my teachers and Gurus!! – Some in journalism like Asheem Poddar of All India Radio, Kohima - my alma mater - and a few like
Rosemay Dzuvichu in academics --- and look at the irony of the IT tool: Facebook
says both are my friends.
Modi has ignited ideas about Digital India? Or was it APJ Abdul Kalam?
Salutation !
ends
thanks for this updates on Teachers Day Article
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I saw most of Modi's show, but did not see the President's. However, he has his own charm. Overall, the show seemed good, but it was all too sweet. Although the PM used his charm to make some pertinent points, the show, willingly or unwillingly turned less about the status of education in our country and more about Modi, the man, the leader and his past.
ReplyDeleteProbably, the fact that we are too used to saying all the pleasing platitudes on such occasions that we are yet to see a no-holds-barred discussion -- or at least the questions.
Somebody should suggest the PM that he should try that route next time. I am sure he has the wherewithal to answer many, and real, questions about the actual state of affairs.
Try to bring in anecdotes to make it more readable...otherwise a good one...to keep the debate and talks going on Modi and Prabab Mukherjee
ReplyDelete