Indians tend to equate soft-spokenness and an academic demeanour with ability. The west errs in the other direction - inspiring speakers tend to be overestimated. In reality, the ability to communicate is orthogonal to genuine merit. As the great Deve Gowda is reported to have quipped, making great speeches in parliament doesn't make a capable prime minister. And as a wag on the opposition benches retorted, neither does making bad speeches.
Manmohan Singh's intellect and ability is almost revered in India, perhaps because he looks, behaves and talks as if he would be more comfortable in the hallways of Delhi University than in the corridors of power. But does he really merit that reverence?
Perhaps he does, in terms of economics, but in terms of statesmanship? How has he risen to the greatest challenge to India's security in recent times? With a series of bold pronouncements but weak-kneed actions. His latest flip flops on talking to our friendly neighbours are a case in point.
As Brahma Chellaney points out, India has had Prime Ministers in the recent past that outdid themselves in handing out unilateral concessions to the neighbours, with no or negative results. Mr. Vajpayee and Dr. Singh seem to be outdoing each other in doing damage in this direction.
It is time we demanded more from our statesmen, and held them accountable for their results. From Gujral to Vajpayee to Manmohan, they get elected, bungle on security, and retire into a taxpayer funded lifestyle. It must be mentioned that L K Advani wasn't much better in this regard, if his Jinnah gaffe and actions afterward are any indication. Perhaps our PMs should stop thinking with their hearts and listen to their heads instead. Especially ones that get elected on the belief that they have brains.
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