I just finished reading Jairam Ramesh 's latest book "Intertwined Lives - PN Hanskar and Indira Gandhi." It took me 2-3 months (leisure reading only at night time) to finish reading this book unlike my friend Santosh Kalvakota who read it in just 10-15 days.
This book is a biography of late P N Haksar, the advisor, aide, conscience keeper, Principal Secretary to Mrs. Indira Gandhi. In short her ‘AlterEgo’. For an active Congressman to write about the life and times of India’s most powerful PM when the legacy of even her father Jawaharlal Nehru, is being bitterly contested and twisted out of context on daily basis by the right reactionaries, is no mean feat.
Don’t be put off by the dull and uninviting cover of this bulky book, because inside every page bristles with valuable historical information. You feel as if Haksar has collaborated with Jairam to publish this vital book. Although his name appears as author, Jairam has chosen for the most part to stay in the background, like a director of a play, invisible. It must be author Jairam's connection as a member of that rare species, the thinking politician that led him to the gold mine of unpublished manuscripts, official memos, letters, notes, and other archival material related to Haksar .
If you read it, you will understand, that Haksar was undoubtedly a man of many seasons. The book through the writings, letters, public comments, and records of private conversations brings to life, the multi-faceted , personality of this enormously talented individual. All progressive young Indians of those times were under the tutelage of Karl Marx , and looked on Nehru as their philosophical sage.
Mrs. Gandhi picked him up, as an old family friend, soon after she became Prime Minister in1967 and he stayed with her till 1973. Those were the tumultuous years with Haksar's imprint on them. His memo on the Congress party enabled Indira to assume supremacy over her rivals with famous Congress split in1969. It was Haksar, once a Marxist and always a socialist who masterminded such policy decisions is the Abolition of Privy purses, nationalisation of banks, of coal, of oil refineries, and general insurance. He also played a very key role in the development of relations with Iran, Bangladesh, and China., rapprochement with Shaik Abdulla, Simla New Delhi Agreements, with Pakistan, the emergence of the country as an agricultural, space, nuclear power, and later integration of Sikkim with India.
This power and influence notwithstanding, he chose to walk away in 1973. Of course, again she persuaded him to join back as Special Envoy, and later as Dy. Chairman Planning Commission wherein he left an indelible mark, but exited once and for all from Govt, in 1977. But continued to be Associated with a number of academic institutions, became a patron for various national causes, like protecting India’s secular fabric, propagating scientific temper, strengthening public sector, deepening technological self-reliance. Successive Prime Ministers sought his counsel, and in1987 he initiated reconstruction of India’s relations with China. Till his death in 1998 he remained as an unrepentant Marxist, and one of India’s most respected statesman, and leading public figure.
As per Jairam , he passed away a disillusioned man. That phase began when he showed courage to advise Indira against her son Sanjay. But Indira turned out to be a mother while Haksar was of all common sense, all patriotic. And let us admit Indira had paid for her mistake. In today’s situation, can any civil servant dare to advise against the will of PM?
History applauded Haksar, and after reading it made me wonder about the fact that if these files have thrown so much light, on so many big issues, what about files by other Prime Ministerial alter egos -MO Mathai, Kanti Desai,RK Dhawan, Brajesh Mishra?
Written in Jairam's inimitable style, the goldmine waiting for an attention of thinking politicians. Jairam's chronology of the life and times of PN Haksar is eminently readable, and a “ must read” book.
This book is a biography of late P N Haksar, the advisor, aide, conscience keeper, Principal Secretary to Mrs. Indira Gandhi. In short her ‘AlterEgo’. For an active Congressman to write about the life and times of India’s most powerful PM when the legacy of even her father Jawaharlal Nehru, is being bitterly contested and twisted out of context on daily basis by the right reactionaries, is no mean feat.
Don’t be put off by the dull and uninviting cover of this bulky book, because inside every page bristles with valuable historical information. You feel as if Haksar has collaborated with Jairam to publish this vital book. Although his name appears as author, Jairam has chosen for the most part to stay in the background, like a director of a play, invisible. It must be author Jairam's connection as a member of that rare species, the thinking politician that led him to the gold mine of unpublished manuscripts, official memos, letters, notes, and other archival material related to Haksar .
If you read it, you will understand, that Haksar was undoubtedly a man of many seasons. The book through the writings, letters, public comments, and records of private conversations brings to life, the multi-faceted , personality of this enormously talented individual. All progressive young Indians of those times were under the tutelage of Karl Marx , and looked on Nehru as their philosophical sage.
Mrs. Gandhi picked him up, as an old family friend, soon after she became Prime Minister in1967 and he stayed with her till 1973. Those were the tumultuous years with Haksar's imprint on them. His memo on the Congress party enabled Indira to assume supremacy over her rivals with famous Congress split in1969. It was Haksar, once a Marxist and always a socialist who masterminded such policy decisions is the Abolition of Privy purses, nationalisation of banks, of coal, of oil refineries, and general insurance. He also played a very key role in the development of relations with Iran, Bangladesh, and China., rapprochement with Shaik Abdulla, Simla New Delhi Agreements, with Pakistan, the emergence of the country as an agricultural, space, nuclear power, and later integration of Sikkim with India.
This power and influence notwithstanding, he chose to walk away in 1973. Of course, again she persuaded him to join back as Special Envoy, and later as Dy. Chairman Planning Commission wherein he left an indelible mark, but exited once and for all from Govt, in 1977. But continued to be Associated with a number of academic institutions, became a patron for various national causes, like protecting India’s secular fabric, propagating scientific temper, strengthening public sector, deepening technological self-reliance. Successive Prime Ministers sought his counsel, and in1987 he initiated reconstruction of India’s relations with China. Till his death in 1998 he remained as an unrepentant Marxist, and one of India’s most respected statesman, and leading public figure.
As per Jairam , he passed away a disillusioned man. That phase began when he showed courage to advise Indira against her son Sanjay. But Indira turned out to be a mother while Haksar was of all common sense, all patriotic. And let us admit Indira had paid for her mistake. In today’s situation, can any civil servant dare to advise against the will of PM?
History applauded Haksar, and after reading it made me wonder about the fact that if these files have thrown so much light, on so many big issues, what about files by other Prime Ministerial alter egos -MO Mathai, Kanti Desai,RK Dhawan, Brajesh Mishra?
Written in Jairam's inimitable style, the goldmine waiting for an attention of thinking politicians. Jairam's chronology of the life and times of PN Haksar is eminently readable, and a “ must read” book.
