Your stories are always amusing. I guess you are talking about Morarji Desai.

When my father was Principal of Karnatak College Morarji was a guest at our home. My mother offered him tea but he only wanted tender coconut water. I had to cycle all the way to the market to find some.

My father had some distinguished politicians as students. Most endearing was Violet Alva who came and stayed with us when I was with the Indian Embassy in Paris. All politicians are not rogues

When my father was asked if he prayed for polticians he said “I watch our politicians and pray for my country”

George

Of course I enjoyed this piece as I have enjoyed all your articles.

I was never interested in politics, it just bored me. Infact (and you may not approve of this) I was so disgusted with all the grandstanding politicians, that in the last few years before I left India for the US, I had just stopped voting.

I too have a ‘politician’ story I’d like to share, only this really happened. It involves a very well known politician (now departed) who when he was the CM of Maharashtra had enforced prohibition and then later went on to become the Prime Minister, albeit a very short term PM.

Anyway this story happened in the 50’s (before I was born) when my father had attended a function to honor one of his former college principals (a Madrasi, his name eludes me).

Anyway the politician I referred to earlier was also present. This was after he had become the CM but before he became a PM.

So when it came time for the principal to make a speech he started…..

“All of my best students have become secretaries to the Government, and all of my worst students have become politicians” to which there was a thunderous applause and he had to wait a while before being able to continue.

My father swears that the speaker looked at the ex-CM when he said that.
Well, I certainly agree with that and I think you will too.

By the way, did your father ever have students who became politicians and do you by any chance know what he thought of them?

Let me know.

Sheila Titus