When I worked with Rajiv Gandhi at that time we didn’t have that much of foreign reserve and now we have got that of 600 billion dollar worth of foreign reserve. This didn’t happen overnight, it took 50 years to get there. It didn’t happen in last 10 years. All the technology and innovation did not happen in last 10 years. It is the blood and sweat and hard work of the people in last 50 years.
Nations don’t get built in 10 years, but in several decades. I am so concerned with the present discourse.
In addition, the Prime Minister wants to take credit for everything. Whether it is digital payment or technology. Shame… that you are quick to take that much credit for the work India has done. I am puzzled that why these things get unnoticed.
Q: Does Rahul Gandhi have what it takes to be Prime Minister?
A: Nobody has what it takes to be a PM. You become a PM and grow in a job and you grow with the support of people, scientists, bureaucrats, engineers, politicians, friends and families. When Rajiv Gandhi became PM, was he fit for the job. He was thrown into the job.
When Shastri became PM, was he fit for the job. First you need to have good character, good education, good understanding of the situation. You don’t need to be a good orator it is about character, values and what you believe in, compassion, empathy. Today people think to debate on society. You lie and prove someone wrong on the stage and everyone claps. This is going world over. That is why authoritarian regimes have become more visible world over because there is no substance. Leadership is all about character, values, wisdom, and it is not about debating scoring points.
Q: Where is the line between criticising the government and criticising the country?
A: There is a big difference. A country like India cannot be criticised by anyone. It is been around for thousands of years. It has history, heritage, unique in its own way. It has the diversity resources. So no one criticise India. It is just too big and idea. Because if you criticise here it looks different. India has vast deserts in the west, jungles on the west, mountains on the north and tropical in the south. But of course you can criticise government it is your job. Sometimes you are in opposition in democracy. And criticising government should not be taken as an enemy of the government.
You should say that we will listen to you and we may not agree that it is perfectly acceptable. But don’t take it personally.
Q: Would you like to see Priyanka Gandhi or Robert Vadra contesting polls?
A: That is their option. Priyanka has to decide her issue. They have to decide their own situation, who am I to advise. It’s a very personal decision.
Q Has the bloc worked out as desired?
A: All alliances have contradictions. All alliances require negotiations. You cannot compare alliances with authoritarian regimes. If there is a little bit of crack, then the media jumps in and highlights that look they are fighting. Of course, they are supposed to fight, that what alliances are about, democracy is about. You can’t expect alliance to be authoritarian.
Alliance is more democratic, accommodating, open to negotiations, conflict resolution. By definition, a dictator says that I am the guy who will decide and if anyone makes noise I will throw him or her out.
Q: In your new book, The Idea of Democracy, you have described how democracies in several countries are facing the danger of authoritarian regime and how institutions are bending.
A: The reasons for writing the book really relates to what is going on in the US as well as what is going on in India. I’m very concerned about the state of democracy and potential challenges going forward in both the countries. In addition, in 2024, there are elections in 64 countries. More than half of the world population will be going to vote in 2024. It hasn’t happened at all before, and many of these countries are going through same set of challenges.
I have friends in many of these countries, and I believe the problems are very similar. The authoritarian regimes are getting more attention, institutions are bending, they are losing their independence. people are not sure what is right, what is wrong because social media is amplifying lies, so these are the concerns.