It is too ambitious to expect Rahul Gandhi to learn from leaders like Nehru and Patel (“What the great-grandson didn’t learn,” Oct. 4). Rahul’s intention in denouncing the ordinance seeking to protect convicted legislators was good though his outburst was as bad as the ordinance. He indeed undermined and insulted the office of Prime Minister.
A good leader is characterised by his or her ability to speak at the right place and time. Did Rahul not foresee the consequences of his “nonsense” remark? Or, was the outburst planned to project him as the saviour who has an old head on young shoulders?
A. Jainulabdeen,Chennai
Statesmanship is to be imbibed; it can’t be inherited. Look at the path travelled by Panditji, Sardar Patel and others like them. There can never be a comparison between them and Rahul who has inherited, not earned, power, position and authority.
Col. K.G. Ramesh Kumar (retd.),Palakkad
Nehru and Patel belonged to a generation of the highest class of leaders. Rahul Gandhi can never hope to claim Nehru’s credentials even remotely. His frequent outbursts are at best an outcome of youthful exuberance with no clear outlook. Backseat driving by the mother-son duo has reduced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to a “figurehead.”
S. Rajagopalan,Chennai
Rahul Gandhi’s statement “my words were strong but my sentiments were right” is reflective of the modern trend. It is, in fact, this attitude that saved the UPA government from making a disastrous move.
C. Lakshmi Narain,Chennai
The article is an excellent piece of advice to Rahul Gandhi. There is a lot the young man must learn from his illustrious great grandfather if he wants to lead the nation. But he seems to be in a hurry, in a greater hurry than Narendra Modi. One cannot blame him for this though as it is the Congress that keeps pampering him.
S. Krishnamurthy,Chennai
Rahul’s outburst at a press conference and his “nonsense” remark were nothing but a drama. The “angry-young-man-act” was directed by the Congress event managers to show the public that this man is different from the corrupt system.
Even after being projected as a future Prime Minister many years ago, the great-grandson is yet to qualify the pre-primary stage of Indian politics. With time running out, he needed a double promotion.
Vikas Komath,Thalassery
It is rather sad that we have only the past to turn to for inspiring leaders. Civility, transparency and mutual respect have no place in public life today. They have been replaced by power corridors, cabals and party high commands. Sardar Patel publicly said Nehru was his leader even though he had major differences with Nehru. There is a lesson for all netas in Sardar Patel’s public conduct.
M. Adharsh,Chennai
With technology enabling us to communicate fast — rather instantaneously — we have drifted from communication etiquette in our day-to-day lives. Most of us forget the right of another to hold the opposite view on an issue. We need to learn the art of agreeing to disagree.
M.V. Nagavender Rao,Hyderabad
