Death of a Statesman*

As someone completely and totally disillusioned with politics, I have scant regard or respect for most politicians and the so-called statemen. But in spite of that, there are some people in politics who deserve respect by virtue of their uniqueness.

Ramon Magsaysay is one such person for me. Magsasay, in spite of being the President of his country, totally ignoned all security concerns and had kept the doors to his residence open to the people at all times. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino is another politician whom I respect (though some critics say that he could well have been the dictator that fidel Ramos was!) because of his courage; he decided to return to his country in 1982, in spite of knowing fully well that there was a significant chance that he would be assassinated, which he was within minutes of his landing!

Sarat chandra Sinha was onother politican I hold in high regard. It was not that his political life was without controversies. He ruled the state during one of the most turbulent periods in the history of independent India. He apparently claimed that he would run bulldozer over the agitating students during the medium of instruction movement back in 1972. He also was the chief minister during Emergency!

But then, he was also the man who, on the day his chief ministership was over, walked out of the State Assembly, walked up to the nearest busstop, caught a bus and went home. That was in 1978. And after that, people always saw him traveling by city bus. A scrupulously honest man, he never made any personal properties, and was epitome of simple living and high thinking. His commitment and selfless service made him a colossus in the political arena.

*In memorium: Sarat Chandra Sinha (1st January, 1914 - 25th December, 2005)
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Sources:
http://assamchronicle.com/content/view/28/9/
http://www.nenanews.com/ANE%20Jan.%2016-31,06/oh1.htm