Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}This is the time of fasts, ‘maha rallies’and ‘yatras’ by politicians and some non-politicians. But we can see anotherperson who silently shows an alternate path of political activity without muchpropaganda or advertisements. He is on a mission with an innovative vision; tomobilize the youth and to encourage them to join mainstream politics. This manis called Rahul Gandhi, the emerging leader of Indian Politics.He has got a clear view. Hebelieves strongly that only by including the youngsters of this country in theprocess of development, our country could progress further. He says itunambiguously, wherever he goes. Now he is in Kashmirand the speech he delivered in Kargil, spoke volumes. The lack of connectivityin the society, especially with the rural masses, is one of the important issueswe face today and Rahul Gandhi clearly understands it. He clearly follows the footstepsof his father Late Rajiv Gandhi. There are criticisms that Rajiv Gandhi was notthat politically successful. You may agree it or not. But one thing was surethat he was a man with a modern vision. During his regime, India couldsurge ahead to such a level that we became powerful to compete with the world,economically and technologically. When Rajiv Gandhi was at the helm of affairsof India,the youth of the country got a new enthusiasm and energy. He showed analternate path for the Indian polity and culture. When he brought out new revolutionarypolicies, there were many eyebrows raised, but undoubtedly those policiesbrought out miraculous changes in the Indian society. Rajiv Gandhi could do thosewonders only with the support of the new generation of the country.Rahul Gandhi is also doing justthat. It is also a fact that Rahul Gandhi also needs to learn new lessons ofpolitics and he should be ready to take more responsibilities as a responsibleyoung leader of the Congress. But he knows where the real potential of ourNation is. I have noticed his speeches and the interactions. All are to thepoint. Political leaders and other non-political personalities have been busyspiting fire on each other, Rahul Gandhi always cautious. Silently he visitedvillages, stayed with them and mingled with them. These effective steps couldbring new positive hopes to the common masses. When he talked in Meghalaya, hetalked about the necessity to value our traditions. These words are important ata time when people tend to forget all the traditional treasures of our system,in the name of modernization. In Punjab he talked about the positive mindset ofthe people of Punjab especially theyoungsters. In Kashmir he said the sorrow of Kashmiris his sorrow too. He knows what to talk and when to talk. I have noticed inmost of the speeches, unless he is compelled, he chose not to indulge into anyunwanted controversies. But when he finds that political remarks are important,he never hesitates to do so too. When he spoke in any YouthCongress or NSUI function, he never uttered any controversial remarks againstanyone but strictly stood on his own agenda of building these outfits. Even hetries to avoid questions about his own party, the Congress. But we saw anotherRahul Gandhi, a man with a clear focus, when he undertook the padyatra in thevillages of Greater Noida where hundreds of farmers lost their land illegallyby the wrong land acquisition by the Mayawati Government. There he stood withthe farmers, moved with them, talked to them and led the battle from the frontto mitigate their problems and to ensure their rights. Politically too he couldexpose the wrong deeds of the BSP Government in U.P. It can be treated as apolitical exercise in view of the forthcoming elections, but without anyconfusion I can argue that it was a timely intervention for a correct cause. AndRahul Gandhi was successful too by getting the land acquisition bill introducedwhich was mentioned by Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh. I am sure that his intention wouldbe to travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari tomobilize the youth. I am hopeful that he would be successful in it. The newmethod that Rahul Gandhi approached is quite innovative, that is, interactionwith the people. It not only bridges the gap with the masses, but also inducesa new ray of hope among the people. They get a belief that there is someone whois listening to their issues. In fact, this is what is lacking in Indian society.The leaders are staying at the top and the citizens are just looking upwards tohear from them and swallow it as such. By yatras and rallies, leaders try toforcefully gather the people’s support. They also force people to challengeconstitution and authorities. Here also Rahul Gandhi has been setting newexamples. A true leader should be one who moves with the masses and who leadsfrom the front. That is what Rahul Gandhi is trying to do. The country and thepeople are looking forward to find a leader with a clear positive agenda whocan send positive energy in the minds of the masses, across the country. I hope Rahul Gandhi could be the one who canmeet their aspirations in the future.