Invisible undercurrents in society determine the outcome of elections and people in public life should bear it in mind that no one is indispensible and be cautious about the undercurrents, said Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram here on Saturday.
Unveiling a marble bust of former Chief Minister of Madras Presidency and former Governor of Orissa, P.S. Kumarasamy Raja, Mr. Chidambaram pointed out that Hosni Mubarak, who was worshipped as a hero for 30 years, was unseated by the undercurrent that sprang up suddenly in the last 15 days.
“People in public life should keep in mind that along with post and power come extravagance and arrogance. They think they are indispensible. But, society has several undercurrents that are not visible. Such people should make their political move accordingly,” he said.
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Eulogising Kumarasamy Raja for his humility, Mr. Chidambaram said that this characteristic trait gave him the courage to treat both victory and defeat with equanimity. “Despite a defeat in elections, he continued his service to the nation.”
Kumarasamy Raja's residence was converted into a library.
The Minister recalled that he had urged the government to encourage young writers with generous grants to bring out new works, as kings in the past used to do. Books in all languages were being translated into English. Similarly, they were also translated in Russian and Chinese.
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Chairman of Ramco Group, P.R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, recalled that great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Babu Rajendra Prasad had visited Kumarasamy Raja's residence in Rajapalayam.
He spoke the truth and upheld honesty in public life, he added.
Virudhunagar Collector, V.K. Shanmugam, spoke.