Indira, Thatcher, Modi and the problem with Democracy

-

      


       Uncompromising, Relentless and Authoritarian are words that one would associate with dictators around the world. Hitler, Mussolini, Putin are leaders who are all of the above mentioned and more. Three other names, Indira Gandhi, Magaret Thatcher and Narendra Modi are also all of the above and more. What separates the former from the later is the fact that they changed the constitution and governance into a dictatorship to be able to rule with an iron fist. The later mentioned are leaders who managed to carve out an authoritarian leadership while being part of a democracy. 

       The problem with democracy will always remain about how everyone has a voice and an opinion, no matter how stupid or juvenile someone's opinion is, it must be counted. This invariably disrupts any reforms or changes or ordinances that governments want to bring about. Gullible crowds can always be lobbied by cunning oppositions to further propaganda against every decision made by the government but that doesn't mean they are right. Gandhi with Operation Blue Star, Thatcher with the coal miners and Modi with the farmers are examples of leadership being strong and remaining unflinching. Let me make it very clear, those laws and decisions in itself being right or wrong is very subjective but my point is around leadership qualities and how these authoritarian leaders were able to make decisive calls and stick by them. Thatcher was under immense pressure and even faced a no-confidence motion from her own government, along with the miners personally attacking her car and home. While Gandhi on the other hand was killed by her own bodyguards years after the Golden Temple massacre. As a leader, you live and die by the decisions you make, and Indira Gandhi, unfortunately, lived by the sword and died by the same one.

       Thatcher and Gandhi are much more special in the way that they were willing to dive into a sea of men and be a big fish among them. It is safe to assume that women leadership was not really accepted as a norm before these two wonderful ladies proved their credentials on a global platform. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Teens, Teachers and Tuitions….Destroying Schools one Brick at a Time

-
Image
          The concept of extra classes or tuition as it is more commonly referred to, has completed a full circle from developing a students academic competence to completely ruining a child's mental and psychological growth. This blog is as much about criticizing the tuition culture and it is about the role that parents have played in creating this multi billion industry.            During my teens, tuition culture was quiet prominent as well but the role that they played was vastly different from the role that current crop of classes play. Earlier, tuition classes were playing supporting role in helping the student in a particular subject that he/she was known to be weak or lagging behind. Today, the schools have almost become the supporting act and the tuitions have turned into the main cast with most of the students skipping school and college to attend these classes. I don't have too much of a problem with students going to these classes, but the timing should not coincide
Read more

Millennials turning a political corner, hopefully!!

-
Image
           A few years ago I had asked a very senior politician in India, "Why are people of my generation so disinterested in Politics"? and he said, "It's the same for every generation, there will always be people who are not interested".  For something that is so pertinent in your day to day life, it is undeniably surprising that such few people know about their politicians and governance.            Globalisation and Technology have allowed people from different backgrounds and places to get in touch and know the changing landscape in every corner of the world. The previous generation did not have this opportunity, therefore as millennials, we are the first of our kind to this type of access. If you are paying tax, you should ask questions. The fact that individuals know so little about their MP's and MLA's in India is disheartening. Every 5 years, the system gives you an opportunity to vote for one person that you believe will serve you to the best
Read more

Sports Organizations want(NEED) the Politicians but not the politics

-
Image
                If there is too much traffic, the politician is at fault, If its too hot, the politicians is at fault, If it rains too much, lo and behold the politician is at fault. The above statement is a slight exaggeration of the common man's emotion but its not too far from the truth. A video that has recently surfaced online of the Governor of Kerala pushing the Indian football Captain Sunil Chettri to the side during a presentation ceremony was an unfortunate incident that provoked a discussion around the involvement of politicians in sports.     Source : https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2022/09/19/west-bengal-governor-pushes-sunil-chhetri-video-goes-viral.html                     Firstly, the incident was very unfortunate and having played at a very primary level of competitive sports, I can totally understand the reasoning behind people's anger. A contrary video has also surfaced of Ricky Ponting shoving then ICC Vice President Mr. Sharad Pawar off the stag
Read more