"When I don't make a decision, it's
not that I don't think about it. I think about it and make a
decision not to make a decision." (Narasimha Rao)
P V Narasimha Rao, termed as the Architect
of Modern India who managed to transform India into a major
IT hub and a promising economic superpower, was the 9th Prime
Minister of India.
Born in 1921 at Karim Nagar district of Andhra
Pradesh, Narasimha Rao was a lawyer by profession. He was fluent
in 13 languages, including Urdu, Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, Telugu
and English and well versed with subjects related to economics,
law, history, politics, arts and computer.
In 1940, during the freedom struggle in the
state of Hyderabad, PV trained himself as a guerrilla fighter
to rebel against the Nizams. He endangered his life as Nizam
had ordered to shoot such guerrilla fighters at sight. After independence, PV and his guerrilla team survived
the dreadful warfare. Then he entered full time into politics as member
of the Indian National Congress.
From 1962 onwards PV held some important portfolios
in Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet. He was the Minister of Law
and Information (1962-64), Law and Endowments (1964-67), Health
and Medicine (1967) and Education. In 1972, he was appointed
as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. During his tenure, Andhra
witnessed several achievements like land reforms and strict
implementation of land ceiling acts in Telangana region.
Meanwhile in 1969, there was a split in the Indian
National congress but PV showed his loyalty to Indira
Gandhi.
Soon he rose into national level and handled several portfolios
such as Home, Defence and Foreign Affairs, in the cabinets of
both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi. In 1980s PV retired
from politics but the assassination Rajiv Gandhi made him comeback
into politics as the leader of Congress Party. In the 1991 election,
Congress secured majority and PV was asked to form the government.
PV is popularly known as 'The Father of Indian
Economic Reforms' and 'Chanakya' (after a political genius who
lived in ancient India) for his ability to handle
tough economic and political legislation. Being a Prime minister,
PV had to confront lot of economic and religious adversities.
During that time, India was in a pathetic condition where it
could sustain only for 15 days after which it had to declare
bankruptcy. It was PV's bold and stubborn decisions which
helped the country to overcome the economic crisis. He appointed a
renowned economic professor, Dr. Manmohan Singh as the Finance Minister.
He abolished License Raj which has been implemented by Jawahar
Lal Nehru, introduced SEBI Act of 1992 and the Security Laws.
Rao's term saw the destruction of the Babri
Mosque in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, which can be described as
the worst Hindu - Muslim conflict in India after independence.
It was a notable feat of Rao on how he managed the crisis during
the 1993 Bombay bomb blast. After his visit to Bombay, he ordered intelligence community to
contact intelligence
agencies from the US, UK and other West European countries and
request them to
send their counter-terrorism experts to examine Pakistan's involvement.
During his tenure, Jammu and Kashmir was torn apart by
terrorist activity. It was he who introduced the Terrorist and Disruptive
Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), India's first anti-terrorism
legislation. He could succeed in decimating the Punjab separatist
movement and neutralising Kashmir separatist movement.
Narasimha Rao, the real Chanakya of Indian
politics who gave economic independence to India, passed away
on 23rd December 2004, succumbing to heart failure. He will be remembered
for his many valuable contributions.
Updated on 4/6/2014
