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Own niche carved

Concert masters the world over confess to difficulty finding musicians to play second violin, for human nature resents having to…

Own niche carved

Sushma Swaraj (FACEBOOK)

Concert masters the world over confess to difficulty finding musicians to play second violin, for human nature resents having to be “second fiddle” to anyone else. It is no different in the world of politics where egos do not always match up with ability. In a one-man show like the drama now being enacted on Raisina Hill, none dare seek selfprojection, and all are expected to chant “Modi, Modi” at all times. Though Sushma Swaraj hardly directs or supervises the prosecution of foreign policy, she has successfully managed to carve a niche for herself: Possibly one of the few ministers who has established personal credibility, and earned a unique reputation ~ not for being “BJP-tough”, but for displaying humane considerations to people in distress. Count is fast being lost of the number of occasions when she played the role of “savior”, unraveled bureaucratic red-tape, and worked the diplomatic channels for the benefits of Indians in trouble abroad. India’s embassies and high commissions have never been hailed for playing the role of “fairy Godmother”: somehow Mrs Swaraj has done that repeatedly, and hopefully her example has trickled down to the “foreign service” ~ otherwise alienated from the common citizen. Her stated intention of converting an Indian mission into a source of succor for those holding Indian passports is to be admired, even if it is not always successful. And to be fair, in times of emergency even non-Indians have been accommodated on special evacuation flights/cruises operated by Indian air services or its naval vessels. Some may ask if the office and dignity of the External Affairs minister has not been demeaned by all major foreign policy decisions being taken in the Prime Minister’s Office; true but Sushma has secured for herself a special place in the otherwise heartless corridors of power.

Unlike most other ministers of the NDA government, Mrs Swaraj is aware that there are limits to Paki-bashing. She did not hesitate to acknowledge the assistance of the home and foreign ministries in Islamabad, and the High Court there, in securing the early release of Uzma, the young woman who has expressed much gratitude at returning home recently. The minister was forthright, she acknowledged the Pakistani efforts despite the “difficult” phase of the bilateral relations. Not that she has always been a “softie”. She was strident when leading the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as an Opposition leader she demanded 10 Pakistani heads for every Indian soldier beheaded. In a previous avatar as minister for information and broadcasting she was “rapped” for an intemperate remark that derailed the VajpayeeMusharraf “summit” at Agra. Yet she has matured with the passage of time, realised that being “saffron” can be counter-productive. Unlike other ministerial colleagues she has “grown with the job”, even if that job has been devalued.

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