NEW VISION
(A Tribute to P V N*)
M. G. Narasimha Murthy
Rajiv’s
career in its prime
Was blasted
by terrorist crime.
A dazed
nation plunged in grief
Looked for a
leader, brave and wise
In its hour
of grave crisis.
Confused
colleagues, wary of risks,
Pushed to the
forefront an old comrade
Who had
neither “charisma” nor “dynastic vein”,
But wore a
solemn, pensive pout!
Little did
they suspect the latent strength
And
unobtrusive tact of P V N
Could cripple
all opponents
And coolly
crush conspiracies.
Wily partners
and their tricks
Would not
relax his stiff upper lip.
Quietly
curbed, the rivals squirmed
And slowly
sank into oblivion.
With his
alluring offer,
Of “half a
glass of water”,
He tantalized
thirsty aspirants
And kept
fawning opportunists
Impaled on
the fence!
Whoever
thought this man of erudition
Possessed
such rare acumen
To revive a
withering economy
And liberate
languishing industries
From the
stranglehold of politics
And usher in
a lasting revolution
And inspire Indians with a new
vision!
* Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao, Former
Prime Minister of India, an eminent
scholar, a creative writer and a far-seeing statesman. -Editor