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Dear Readers,

                     I happened to be in Jaipur during the last weekend. The pink city was clad in tricolors. Not the tricolors of our national flag but those of the oldest political party of our India, the Indian National Congress. The entire stretch of road right from airport to Birla Auditorium was decked up with INC flags and huge portraits of the triumvirate. There were huge bill boards displaying images of Rahul Gandhi and thanking him for his visit to the state capital. In India, even a democracy sometimes lets you feel the majesty of monarchies. 

                  It is beyond contention that under the present circumstances, a certain degree of dynasticism has become a stark political reality of our nation. It is indeed a dangerous phenomenon which should be a cause of concern for those who wish well for our Constitution. However, this post talks about a somewhat different topic: the 'historic' speech delivered by the Yuvraj. I speak as an aware and highly skeptical citizen and not as a die-hard fan of Nehru-Gandhi family.

                 Rahul Gandhi speaks with a voice that sounds honest. Even during the speech delivered on the eve of the Nuclear Agreement, he was calmly trying to drive home his point in the face of rowdy hooting from the opposition. This time, he spoke with a candid outlook and his content was brisk and meaningful and most importantly, original. As a prospective national leader, he did not shy away from laying bare his inner fears. It would be whimsical to crown the Prince as an Emperor just at this trivial pretext of sounding basic. For this, he will have to tread upon vast lands from sea-shores to troublesome jungles of Central India, from the lost bastions of Gangetic valley to grain-baskets of the country. None the less, his charm lies in his simplicity and graceful conduct. It may be no surprise if his success comes out of an appreciation of this innate trait by the farmers and workers of our land.... .