On this auspicious day, the 28th of June, we commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the esteemed former Indian Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao. Alas! How easily forgotten he seems to be by his own political party. Yet, let us not disregard the profound respect and remembrance he evokes for his pivotal role in the 1991 reforms, alongside the brilliant mind of the former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as his Union Finance Minister. But do bear in mind, dear readers, that beyond his prime-ministership, Rao was a man of many facets: a Sanskrit Scholar, fluent in nine diverse languages, and a multi-faceted statesman who held various cabinet portfolios, including Home, External Affairs, and even the position of Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh.
Among the many admirable qualities I had the fortune of observing in him, it was his audacity, defiance, and unwavering courage that left an indelible mark on my heart. It was he who fearlessly implemented the LPG reforms, crushing the oppressive regime of the License Raj. Some argue that had there been any other person at the helm, they too could have achieved the same feat. Ah, but let us not be so hasty to forget the circumstances that led to those pivotal elections in 1991—a consequence of the ill-advised decision by the then Congress leader, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, to withdraw support from the incumbent government. Despite the economic emergency that loomed large, Rao defied the odds and embarked on the path he was never meant to tread. In the early days of his cabinet, even members of his own party shied away from supporting the reforms, burdened as they were by their left-leaning inclinations. Furthermore, politicians such as Sharad Pawar and his comrades plotted to overthrow Rao’s government. And yet, my dear friends, it is the India we witness today, the India that Rao envisioned when he initiated those profound reforms. Therefore, I ardently believe that the present government should bestow upon him the highest honor, the Bharat Ratna, in recognition of his extraordinary work.
For all his contributions, we, as Indians, must forever be grateful to this remarkable leader. Let us remember him today with the utmost reverence and pay tribute to the greatest Prime Minister this nation has ever had.