My homage to Late #LaGanesan #Nagaland #Governor.
He also served as Governor in Manipur and West Bengal.
Born February 16, 1945; he joined RSS in 1970 and known to have shared good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Pained by the passing of Nagaland Governor Thiru La. Ganesan Ji. He will be remembered as a devout nationalist, who dedicated his life to service and nation-building. He worked hard to expand the BJP across Tamil Nadu. He was deeply passionate about Tamil culture too.
My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister tweeted.
Once Late Ganesan said about developmental works in northeast - " ... the river is flowing but that does not mean, water will reach your home automatically".
On April 12, 2023, I called on him at Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
Governor La Ganesan said that it is/was for the first time in several years that the north eastern states including Nagaland are getting so much attention for focused development and easy fund flow from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
However, creating certain infrastructures are the responsibility of the state governments and local bodies, he said.
Trying to drive home his point, the Governor had said,
"The river is flowing but does not mean, water will reach your home automatically. You have to set up taps to get water.....that responsibility is yours".
Ganesan has told this journalist -- - "In the same spirit it is the responsibility of the state governments in North East India to create basic facilities and infrastructures for development and for over all improvement in qualities of life".
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| Blogger with Late La Ganesan - April 12, 2023 |
On Peace talks and pending a Solution pact, he said:
"My government is committed for bringing lasting peace and solution to the Naga political issue, (but) it is too early for me to comment anything in details".
I fondly remember our interaction.
When I told him, "I also write for a small newspaper 'Nagaland Page' published from Dimapur",,,,,
The former Governor shot back with a smile on his face -- "Why small ? Don't go by the size of the paper...
Tell your Editor, I do not miss to read the paper daily".
(** I am sure Editor of the paper Ms Monalisa Changkija, who has now shut down the newspaper will always cherish these words from the Governor)
During our interaction he heaped praise on illustrious BJP leader K R Malkani for his article on C Rajagopalachari written in 'Organiser ' (the rght-wing magazine) years back.
"I do not remember the timing...but K R Malkani had written a rather critical piece on Rajaji calling him an 'American Acharya' but such was the greatness of Rajaji that he appreciated Malkani for his piece," Late Ganesan had told me.
Ganesan also said that Late Malkani used to do lot of homework before writing a piece and people in general and in political life used to appreciate Malkani for his well researched and well informed articles and editorials in the 'Organiser'.
Malkani (19 November 1921 – 27 October 2003) was a journalist, historian and a politician associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He was a national Vice-President of the BJP from 1991 to 1994. He was a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2000 and served as Lt. Governor of Puducherry from July 2002 till his death in October 2003.
Malkani was the only person to have been the chief editor of both English magazine 'Organiser' and Hindi periodical 'Panchjanya'.
The reference to Rajaji came in our discussions as there were reports that Rajaji's great grandson C R Kesavan, who joined BJP in 2023, had called up Ganesan for his blessings.
Confirming the tele call, the Governor told me : "Yes, Kesavan called me and as an elder I blessed him and wished him well to perform in the BJP".
CR Kesavan, great grandson of noted freedom fighter and India's last Governor General C Rajagopalachari, joined the BJP in April 2023, as a part of the Lotus party's programme to expand base in southern India.
It's ironic to recall today that in 2023 La Ganesan exuded confidence that in next two-years (2025... or so) the state of Nagaland would enter a new era as people here are "educated and well cultured and have faith in democratic process".
"I am confident in next two-three years we will fare better," the Governor has said.
"I am very much hopeful that there is every chance of major and drastic development and improvement in the overall situation".
To a specific question, he had said - "Naga people have shown utmost faith in democracy and have voted overwhelmingly during Feb 27 elections (2023).
In many other educated states people's participation is not much. Maybe only 60 to 65 percent people vote...but here in Nagaland the voters turn out was around 84 percent.
In some constituencies the turnout was even 90 to 94 percent. That means people want development and solution to all their problems through ballots and not arms".
He also admitted that there could be influence of money power; but he said,, such things do happen even elsewhere.
"In some places even if they are given money by one party or another, people do not come out to vote".
To another question on a litigation as "contempt proceeding" was initiated against the Nagaland government by the Supreme Court over the issue of urban body elections, the Governor had said the matter is coming up for hearing on April 17 (2023).
"I am confident the matter will be handled legally....We have high respect for the Supreme Court".
Ganesan said -- "We have to hold elections as Supreme Court wants it. We believe in women empowerment and so reservation will be given too.
At the same time we have to see what tribal bodies have stated. In Tamil Nadu, there is a saying the snake has to be killed, but we need to ensure that the stick is not broken".
Late Ganesan had also recalled his decision to join the RSS in 1970 at the appeal from Ram Gopalji.
In 1991, he joined BJP and also became it's organisation secretary in Tamil Nadu and national vice president of BJP later.
ends
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