Journalism of Courage
Even as Team Anna is fending off allegations of RSS link,another founder of India Against Corruption,Sri Sri Ravishankar,on Saturday shared the dais with senior Sangh functionary Suresh Soni for the launch of a collection of BJP president Nitin Gadkaris 24 speeches,and said they had sought the BJP’s help over Jan Lokpal.
When I met Nitinji (Gadkari),I had asked for his help towards Jan Lokpal. He told me he will look into it (the Jan Lokpal Bill) and will extend his support if he found it beneficial for the country. Ultimately he honoured the promise he had made to me. We need people like this to provide leadership to the society, Ravishankar said,praising Gadkari while launching the book.
He applauded the book,titled Vikas ke Path. An Introduction,as an inspiration to younger generations.
Books like this that expound forward-looking ideas for social,educational,economic and political betterment can give vision to our younger generations, said the founder of Art of Living,whose representative is also part of the core group of IAC that spearheaded the anti-government agitation demanding enactment of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
In return,Ravishankar came in for praise from Soni and Gadkari alike as the flagbearer of Indian spiritualism across the world.
Soni also applauded Gadkari for putting his thoughts in simple words in his speeches. Interestingly,he felt the collection of his speeches was aptly titled,at a time when competition for power is at the centrestage in national politics.
Gadkari himself played down such speculation,even though the function was widely seen as a sign that he too has thrown his hat in the ring. If the carefully chosen speeches in the book touch a cross-section of issues of national importance,a short film that preceded its launch presented Gadkari as a visionary concerned about the poor,agriculture and development of the country.
I am absolutely not hankering for any position. I never expected it. I am a mediocre who still feels shy sitting on the chair once occupied by leaders like Atalji and Advaniji, Gadkari said. “This (the book) is merely the experiences of a person sympathetic to the concerns of the country,society and poor.
In his brief speech,senior BJP leader L K Advani referred to the prevalent sentiments against the political class and said the speeches showed Gadkari was a class apart.
While this book is by the president of one of the two largest political parties of this country,there has been little discussion on politics (during the function),” Advani said.
