The Hindu Business Line : Gandhi's torch

A TIME there was when the nation was deemed supreme, and those who had its interest at heart were prepared to lay down their lives at its altar. Alas, those days now seem relegated to misty antiquity. It is now each person for himself or herself, and Devil take the hindmost. In the eyes of the political parties, in particular, the nation comes last in their list of priorities; it is doubtful whether the thought that the nation counts above party ever enters their mind at all.

According to media reports, the DMK supremo, Dr M. Karunanidhi, speaking at the function for the release of postal stamps in honour of Murasoli Maran, extolled him for putting the party above himself. But the point whether he also regarded the nation above the party was not touched upon. Generally, the political mindset in the last two or three decades has tended to hold that everything should be subservient to party interests, and that the only goal of a party is capturing and clinging to office at all costs and by all means, fair or foul.

The Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, seems to stand apart in this motley crowd. Addressing the AICC session, she reportedly upbraided the Congress leaders for leading an ostentatious life and making a vulgar display of their wealth without a thought to the millions who were living in utter poverty and misery. She expressed her anguish that her appeal to Congress bigwigs two years ago to adopt a code of austerity had fallen on deaf ears. She is quoted as saying, "Those of us who take inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi should not have such double standards".

She and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, are today in the best position to impose values and principles on the Congress party which, within living memory, was a shining model for the spirit of sacrifice in the cause of public service. Ms Gandhi has functioned as a sober, constructive and public-spirited leader well within the norms of dignity and decency. Dr Manmohan Singh enjoys an enviable reputation for maintaining the highest standards of excellence and integrity in his personal and professional life.

Both together, helped by the conscious efforts of the younger generation newly entering the political arena, can once again light the torch held aloft by Mahatma Gandhi, which was put out by lesser persons in their lust for power and pursuit of unabashed self-aggrandisement. The question is: Will they?