An octogenarian, on the threshold of becoming a nonagenarian, thinks big, offers a new inspiration for the masses-‘Its never too late’.
Vivekanand Jha Ranchi: E Sreedharan, an engineer of extraordinary calibre, has been handpicked by BJP to head the government in Kerala if BJP forms the government in the state, is a new invigorating message for the masses amidst the pall of gloom descending on the mankind during such troubling times as this. E. Sreedharan, our Metro man, deserves all the kudos for picking up the gauntlet yet again, albeit for playing a different innings: to don the hats of a politician.
Whereas Sreedharan, a man of unprecedented achievements to his kitty, unequivocally deserves showering of accolades for gracefully acquiescing in BJP’s game plan for its impending Aswamedh Yajna, which will only culminate in BJP’s decimation of Communists in Kerala, the last alien bastion which, if conquered, will consummate BJP’s absolute triumph, wherein it would also set the nation on the path of totalitarianism. Also, there is another sordid feature associated with this whole episode: Narendra Modi, BJP’s supremo, whimsically imposing his wish upon sending some into political oblivion on the same parameter whereas ushering in another in the limelight, without the least of his conscience getting pricked: the inconvenient Advanijee sent into political oblivion for crossing the age limit of 75, Sreedharan is brought in at the age of 88.
Another exception: B.S. Yediurappa, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, already perched in his cushy chair despite crossing 75. Whatever, Sreedharan, at 88, is embracing a new career, the age many people never have the fortune to reach, or even if they are fortunate enough to teach, rarest of rare manage to remain in fine fettle, itself is a matter of celebration that someone is prepared to bite the bullet when most, if alive, invoke the Lord for ensuring their safe transition into another word, is another exemplification of Mr Sreedharan writing another glorious saga, especially after having scripted a history by creating Metro for the nation among other things.
That man, as brilliant as great Nani A Palkhivala, whose command over the financial budget of the Union government, in the wake of its immediate announcement, was considered more than that of finance minister himself, besides his supreme command over that of Indian Constitution, faltered badly soon after crossing 80, when he even failed to identify people; Sreedharan, luckily enough is immaculately fit to play another innings in public life, is singularly exhilarating in such cynical times as this.
Paradoxically, Kerala, the birth place of India’s greatest mind born in a mortal body, great Adi Shankaracharya, ought legitimately to have driven out the Communists from the state long ago, yet if it still exists, is the inglorious commentary of India’s insufficient understanding of India’s great Adi Shankaracharya. No wonder then Sreedharan’s rising up to this daunting challenge, in the evening of his life, is the beginning of India’s new political saga; whether it will indeed fructify into the tangible results, only the time will tell, yet it is a matter of celebration for one and all, with a message embedded in it: Kabhi alvida na Kahna.
