उड़ जाएगा हंस अकेला: Suresh Prabhu, a true statesman and visionary leader
11 Jul 2023 15:42:28
My school used to be at 7 am, so my mother used to wake me up at around 6 am. I did not want to wake up so early but had no choice. So, in the morning when my mother used to listen to abhangas and bhajans on Vividh Bharti, I got the habit of it as well. My mind, which was initially sluggish, would suddenly get motivated and slowly got inclined towards happiness. I don't know what power those bhajans, abhangas used to have, it would drive away laziness and make my mind happy in an instant. Similarly, when one listens to the Bhajan of Kabir, sung by Kumar Gandharva; 'Udd Jayega Hans Akela' in the early hours of the morning, it's like a sone pe suhaga moment for me even now. Actually, at that age, I didn't even know who wrote this bhajan and who is the singer, but when I listened to this bhajan, my mind used to become calm. Later on, I gradually realized that this state of mind is called meditation. I have never thought why listening to this bhajan of Kabir made me feel like a meditative state of mind. Similarly, one such person is Suresh Prabhu who is an absolved person.
Suresh Prabhu, a former Railways Minister announced his retirement from active politics in February last year. He decided to work on environmental issues. And so today, on his 70th birthday, I am reminded of this bhajan of Kabir Udd Jayega Hans Akela! In this verse, he has compared Swan to the human soul which will fly to its ultimate destination one day leaving all the worldly pleasure. So, if we look at Prabhu's social and political career till now, we will realize how relevant this bhajan of Kabir is to him. Like the swan in Kabir's bhajan, Prabhu left politics and the temptation of power that comes due to politics. Now, he has decided full-time work on the environment, and inclusive development with the help of new-age technology.
Suresh Prabhu is a true statesman I have ever seen in Indian Politics after Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is also a visionary leader. From his outstanding tenure at Saraswat Bank to his transformative work as Minister of Power, Railways, and River Interlinking, Suresh Prabhu has left an indelible mark on Indian public life. His close relationship with Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji and his work as G20 Sherpa were also exemplary. As he was born on July 11, coincidentally he also secured AIR 11 in CA final exams too. I feel it's kind of poetic justice.
Around 1996, Prabhu was elected as MP from Rajapur Constituency in Lok Sabha and later led Rajapur Constituency in Lok Sabha till 2009. While writing about himself on his website Prabhu writes "Credibility and conscience are at the core of my thinking philosophy". It is particularly striking that Prabhu still gives priority to credibility and conscience while expounding his own philosophy, when in today's politics credibility and conscience have been completely eradicated and replaced by sheer power and money. In 1996, as Industries Minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he brought about greater transparency in functioning and fuel clearance of pending works. Further, he handled the responsibility of Union Minister For Environment and Forests (1998-99).
He then introduced 100% centrally funded Schemes for reducing pollution in 22 major cities of India. Similarly, he introduced unleaded petrol in National Capital Territory to control pollution levels. He formed Environment Surveillance Squads in the Central Pollution Control Board to enforce pollution control systems on polluting industries. In 2014, he became the Union Railway Minister of India from November 2014 to September 2017. He introduced one of the world's cheapest travel insurance plan for passengers which has now been made free of cost. Jaldoot water trains were sent to drought-hit areas of Maharashtra. Food grains were supplied in the form of ready-to-eat food packets to major parts of North East and most parts of Assam. ‘VIKALP’, Alternative Train Accommodation System (ATAS) launched with a view to providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers. Launched an integrated mobile app for all Railway related services. He started High-speed free Wi-Fi at 140+ stations. During his tenure, he took several steps to boost manufacturing in India as well
Suresh Prabhu has held many important ministerial positions throughout his entire career and proved his worth. But when he was at the peak of his career, he announced his retirement from politics. And that's why I remember the lines Kabir on his Birthday today.
उड़ जाएगा हंस अकेला,जग दर्शन का मेला,
जैसे पात गिरे तरुवर से,मिलना बहुत दुहेला,
ना जाने किधर गिरेगा,लगाए पवन का रेला,
जब होवे उम्र पूरी,जब छूटेगा हुकुम हुज़ूरी,
जमके दूत बड़े मज़बूत, जम से पड़ा झमेला,
दास कबीर हर के गुण गावे,वा हर को पारण पावे,
गुरु की करनी गुरु जाएगा, चेले की करनी चेला।
Has Prabhu stopped after retiring from politics? No! not at all, he has fully devoted himself to development work. But Prabhu also insists on how the development should be in keeping with the environment. Recently, he visited the state of Goa and met the Chief Minister of Goa and also started the work of preparing a vision document for the Sustainable development of Goa.