11/6/13

Narendra Modis lack of knowledge on Sardar Patel, history matter of big concern: Shashi Tharoor - Page 2 - Economic Times

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Narendra Modis lack of knowledge on Sardar Patel, history matter of big concern: Shashi Tharoor
CL Manoj, ET Bureau Nov 5, 2013, 06.30AM IST

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Gandhiji decided it would be Nehru, not Patel, who would be the PM and Patel readily accepted it. Even in the first elections of 1937, it was Nehru who was the principal Congress campaigner and Patel the principal organiser. Nehru was more charismatic, moderate with a pan-Indian appeal and much more brilliant intellectually while Patel was a firm, unwavering and powerful anchor. Once Patel wrote to Nehru that "our combination is unbreakable and in that lies our greatest strength". And Nehru showed his total trust in Patel by designating him, while travelling abroad, as acting PM who could take critical decisions. Even those Congress leaders who wanted Patel to take over as Congress president on the eve of Independence knew Nehru was chosen to be the PM. It is also a fact that Patel died three years after Independence. So I don't know what enormous difference it would have made to history even if he was the first PM. Even then Nehru would have 14 years as against the 17 years he had as the PM. To me, what Modi and BJP are making is a futile argument.

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What about the charge that the Congress neglected Patel's legacy to prop up the Nehru-Gandhi family legacy? It is merely a fact that Patel died in 1950 and Nehru ruled for 17 years. And other Nehru-Gandhi family members held the highest office for a very long time. Therefore, it was inevitable that their contributions and longer reigns would be remembered more. But then it is false to suggest that Patel's legacy was neglected by the Congress. The long list of institutions, programmes, roads, buildings etc that have been named after Sardar Patel stands testimony to this fact. On charges of Nehru nurturing dynastic ambitions, let me point out that it was (Lal Bahadur) Shastri who was chosen by the Congress as PM after Nehru. Shastri died at the age of 66 when many thought he would continue as the PM for at least 10 years. After Shastri's death, it was then top Congress Syndicate leaders, mind you, not any family manipulation, that ensured the election of Indira Gandhi as PM by defeating Morarji Desai in a vote. It was a different matter that the Syndicate's calculation of reducing Indira Gandhi to a mere figurehead was proved completely misplaced. But then Modi and his supporters always misrepresent many other issues. Are you referring to Modi's recent comments? Modi is an intelligent and shrewd man. But, frankly, he is not a very particularly well-educated and well-read man. The kind of depth of reading and intellectual depth that we used to take for granted in big leaders which Manmohan Singh certainly has - is frankly not evident in Modi. I am not casting any aspersion on his humble origins. You can always find within yourself the desire to read and study. But the fact is these statements by Modi - just like his factually wrong assessment of Patel and Nehru - of not knowing where Takshila is, not knowing how far Alexander had come, difference between Gupta and Maurya dynasties, betray a fundamental lack of knowledge about Indian history which are very basic and are taught in school.

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11/6/13

Narendra Modis lack of knowledge on Sardar Patel, history matter of big concern: Shashi Tharoor - Page 2 - Economic Times
Look at Modi's understanding of world affairs and economics. He talked about China spending 20% of its GDP on education. It not only betrays a lack of awareness of the facts about China but also shows what a notion he has about GDP. Modi's demonstrated lack of awareness, be it of Patel or these important aspects of history and world affairs, especially since he is BJP's PM candidate, is a matter of concern and worry. Somebody who wants to be PM, even if he has good advisors, needs to have a mind that is shaped by awareness of both the world and national issues. I think Modi only betrays a superficial reading of history and half-baked facts.

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Modi also ridicules Rahul Gandhi... Yes, both Modi and his supporters, including many in social media, are going to great lengths in trying to belittle Rahul Gandhi, whom, I am afraid, they know very little of. Gandhi has been holding no official position in government and is only working in the party and among the party men. Yet, he is being criticised by many for having failed to do things that he is not in a position to do. This is a fundamental flaw.

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11/6/13

Narendra Modis lack of knowledge on Sardar Patel, history matter of big concern: Shashi Tharoor - Page 2 - Economic Times
Readers' opinions (464)
Sort by: Newest | Oldest Indian (India) 06 Nov, 2013 12:53 PM What about your knowledge on India, Indians and theirfeelings & Behaviour?????? GRRAO (Hyderabad) 06 Nov, 2013 12:53 PM I have only two points to make on the interview by the learned central minister. One is about what great difference would have made to the country even if Sri Patel became the first PM since he passed away after only three years. I personally think that he would not have allowed the Kashmir accession issue to go to UNO which has become a very sore boil on the country's body. The second is about the non performance of Sri Rahul since he is not holding any official position in the govt. I think the minister is trying to cover up his second in command in the party.. we have all seen how his one press interview as the VP has made the govt. crawl and retrace its bill and ordinance on convicted politicians. I hoped that he would have been unbiased in his interview. Sam Kapoor (New Delhi) 06 Nov, 2013 12:38 PM when would India wake up from these kind of news articles.... and H#LL journalism.. when did BJP or MODi said that PATEL JI is only ours... no one is laying hands on patel sahabs legacy - con-gress couldnt give the due credit to patel ji.. now when modi wants to build a statue there a hue and cry -- WTF.... Say What (India) 06 Nov, 2013 11:39 AM Shashi is full of knowledge!! Narayanan Gangadharan (Thiruvananthapuram (Triv) 06 Nov, 2013 11:33 AM We can only simply ignore when Tharoor challenged Modi to fight against him in the next parliamentory election from Trivandrum.His calculation is genuine. If it happens so Tharoors contest will be noticed Otherwise even if he gets ticket he will be one among the 500 and odd insignificant contestenats. Tharoor is an Upstart in Indian Politics. Let hem answer these questions. 1. Is the Congress which claims the legacy of Indian freedom Movement take the responsibility of the massacre of more than 5 lakh innocent people and the biggest exodus in human history to the tune of 25 lakhs.( Read Freedom at Midnight) 2. Is Nehuru resposible for a shattered foreign policy and an area more than the size of Kerala State is still under thwe Chineese occupation. 2. Is Idira Gandhi reposible for the massacre of thousands of Sikhs inthe blustar operation against the holy shrine of Golden temple. 4. Is Rajeev Gabdhi resposible for the massacre of more that 3000 sikhs after the assacianation of Indira Gandhi. 5. Is Congress responsible for the atrocities committed by Sanjay Gandhi during the emergency. Tharoor who was just a glorified clerk in Un UN questioning the Modis knowledge of history is a joke. Ramakrishnan Marar (Ayalur Palakkad) replies to Narayanan Gangadharan 06 Nov, 2013 12:22 PM Why Mr Modi is not fit to be a PM candidate. Read in todays 'Hindu' an article by Mr N Ram. terakaangress (delhi) replies to Ramakrishnan Marar 06 Nov, 2013 12:52 PM mr. Ramakrishanan Marar, If Mr N Ram is the authority on everything and if tomorrow he posts an article in 'Hindu newspaper' that, he is your father, will you believe Mr N Ram then also? agle election ke baad tera kaangress india pe nahi hogi READ ALL COMMENTS

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