Remembering “Father of Indian Economic Reforms” — Lessons from P.V.Narasimha Rao’s life and drawing Parallels with Abraham Lincoln’s life
Today on 28th June 2020, as we celebrate the birth century of Late Shri P V Narasimha Rao Garu, my tribute to the legend in the form of this blog (Garu is used to show respecting an individual in Telugu Language).
With great sacrifices from many leaders, India gained its liberty and became a free country in 1947, of course it took 3 more years to be “Republic of India” with a written constitution by integrating several princely states. Many of these leaders took positions in the post-independence government and worked relentlessly to shape the country’s future with limited resources. There were roller coaster rides during this period in the form of wars, natural calamities and cold war allies’ issues among others.
However, by early 1991 India was in different situation with economy in most vulnerable condition, increased dynastic politics, strong regional parties and traditional allies like USSR handling crisis in their own country. P V Narasimha Rao considered as dark horse emerged as consensus leader and sworn in as Prime Minister, many were apprehensive whether he will cross one month in power in leading a minority government. He has completed 5 years, proved critics wrong and also demonstrated when there is a strong purpose in leading country, anything is possible to achieve.
There were many dimensions of PV (as he is popularly called as), his ability to converse in many languages, keen interest in contemporary areas like technology, communication. Best leaders are best listeners, you cannot find better example than PV for this.
Drawing parallels to how Abraham Lincoln as lawyer turned politician, emerged as consensus candidate among the more popular and remarkable men at that time namely William H Seward , Salmon P Chase and Edward Bates. How he inducted all of them in his government to utilize their services.
P.V. Narasimha Rao Lawyer turned politician too, had to manage stalwarts like N D Tiwari, Sharad Pawar, Arjun Singh and Rajesh Pilot to become Prime Minister, he has also inducted all of them in his Cabinet. There are enough praises and inspirational stories not just in United States of America, but across the world on Abraham Lincoln about his child hood, his sufferings with defeats, how he managed to address Civil war and made United States to be world power , unfortunately PV has not received much coverage for his efforts though they were comparable as young student his fights against the Princely state of Nizam , land reforms to help poor as Chief Minister of state and his handling of economic reforms , foreign policies and handling the extremism in Punjab, North East as Prime Minister.
Both leaders are Political geniuses, demonstrated many traits which are timeless leadership lessons for Politicians, Corporates, NGOs and Bureaucrats, in short anyone who needs to lead teams and drive change for long term sustenance of an organization. While one focused on handling civil war another focused on avoiding nation going through bankruptcy, both built strong foundations.
· Purpose — Country comes first before party and personal interests (Managing the finances)
· Consensus — How you can disagree with views of individual or compete with them for a position, but still utilize strengths of them for better society (Inducting rivals to cabinet)
· Social Skills — Importance of Liberal Arts in influencing and shaping an individual (Avid readers, organized discussions on literature and enjoyed such discussions) using left brain and right brain.
· Change and Innovation — trying new things (Dr Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister, Look East Foreign Policy, sending opposition leader Vajpayee to represent country in UN)
· Hands on Leadership — How to negotiate, when to be firm and when to give leeway. Balancing empathy and iron twist in handling the situation (Handling the extremists by PV and going to battlefield to speak to front line people by Lincoln)
Salute to Young Radical transformed to Great Leader in transforming Young India to Vibrant India. I want to take a moment to thank the succeeding Prime Ministers in continuing the economic reforms he began. As long as he lived, he never worked towards posts or titles, always they came to him. While he is no more with us physically, I wish he would be given “Bharat Ratna” (highest honor) being key person in driving the right change as a scholar, statesman, freedom fighter, visionary and great human being.
Disclaimer — My personal understanding based on the readings on Abraham Lincoln from “Team of Rivals”, readings on PV from “The Insider” and “Half-Lion” also witnessed the fruits of liberalization as young graduate came out of college when he was Prime minister. This blog is to draw parallels of two legends and derive leadership lessons from their lives, neither this is comprehensive on their lives nor written to hurt sentiments of anyone.
