Tuesday, May 21st 08:25 PM IST
 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is an ‘underachiever’

Simantik Dowerah

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is unarguably an ‘underachiever’ if not by merit then by circumstances. In the last eight years, he has been busier with 10 Janpath than South Block often caught in oscillations of coalition politics leading to policy paralysis. Important issues like FDI in retail, GAAR, DTC, rising inflation, falling rupee and a tepid growth are in the back seat. Corruption has rotted different ministries with courts becoming burdened. Singh has performed the role of stoic politician perfectly. But Taleb Nassim Nicholas said: “A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.” Assert yourself, Mr. Prime Minister.read less read more

Venky Vembu

Manmohan Singh has, if anything, risen to a level that is way beyond his innate political capabilities. He was destined to be a babu, and would have made a good one. Although unelected, the vicissitudes of politics elevated Manmohan Singh to the highest elected office in the land. That’s not quite the record of an “underachiever”. If anything, Manmohan Singh has excelled himself.read less read more