CHENNAI: If Yudhishtra was the metaphor for dharma, former telecom minister A Raja stood for poor leadership and terrible governance, observed noted writer Gurucharan Das, here on Tuesday. He was in the city to promote his book, The Difficulty of Being Good: the subtle art of Dharma.
Several references to Raja, the spectrum scam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s reaction to the scandal dotted the 90-minute session, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries and Aspen Institute, India.
Das, former CEO, Proctor & Gamble India, began his speech by describing two qualities in leaders: determination and humility. “While our prime minister displays humility, I wish he showed more will power and determination in dealing with A Raja, and had acted on this issue two years ago,” he said.
Soon, speaking about Draupadi’s lament during her vastraharan (disrobing by Duryodhana’s brother Dushasana), he said she recalled the words of Sage Kashyap, who said for any wrong committed, 50 per cent of the sin goes to the wrongdoer, 25 per cent to the one who abets him, and remaining 25 per cent to the one who is silent and does nothing about it. He wondered aloud if 25 per cent of Raja’s sin would apply to the prime minister.
Later, during his interactive session, he said had Raja been in any other country, he would have been imprisoned like Jeff Skilling, former president of Enron Corporation.
Das said although India was witnessing good economic growth, all this prosperity was spreading in the midst of terrible governance, which was letting the people down in every way. “I’m not referring to the spectrum scam alone or about one minister taking bribe here, but about the way the government handles the people,” he clarified.