Give me a real president..!

Sunday, May 13, 2012 - Was at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan around two years ago, even stayed in one of the bungalows in the huge estate for a function I was to attend, guest of the President of India. The majestic grandeur of the palace, the huge stately halls, the luxurious rooms, and the sheer size of the whole area impressed me no end. It was a place built by the British to dazzle and impress the locals when they were the rulers of India. But what was sad in all this great impressiveness was the President. The great buildings I’m sure felt let down by the person who occupied the place.

Now as the elections approach for a new President, let not this happen again. We have great and illustrious men and women in our country, people of charisma and international stature, ones who will stand out in a crowd by their sheer personality, let us choose someone like that. The present one is said to have made more international trips than any other President before, and asked to explain, said that India was now acclaimed internationally so the need to visit other countries.

If this is so, then let us have somebody who will do our country proud. Let the people of other nations be moved by the sheer personality of our Chief. “Who is that?” “The President of India!” I do remember an incident that happened over a decade ago or more, when the Lord Mayor of London visited Mumbai. To make it impressive they had him get off the boat at the Gateway of India where the local mayor and his team waited for him. The Mayor of London got off the boat walked up the pier and hugged his counterpart.

Unfortunately it was not his counterpart. It was a security guard who was dressed in the old traditional costume that was reserved for those who guarded the mayor. What was upsetting was that the man who was the mayor, did not have the personality to stand out in the crowd. He was more inconspicuous than his bodyguard. As plain as the crowd that surrounded him, as ordinary as the ones who lined the Gateway to do some sightseeing. Such are the people we choose to represent us.

There is a huge difference between the captains of industry and politicians. Most of our businessmen look fit and our fit, dress well and look well groomed. Our politicians spend more time in distending their stomachs outward. Crass and crude are the expletives I would use seeing them. Let us not have such in those illustrious buildings. I remember walking out of the Rashtrapathi Bhavan that day struck by the majestic grandeur of the palace, the huge stately halls, the luxurious rooms, and the sheer hugeness of the whole area.

Give me a real President, whose personality will fill those buildings, whose presence will be felt internationally and who will tower over the rest of the leaders of the world with his or her depth of character.Sadly I see no such person..!

—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com