Master Strategiser

Strategy I had earlier written is an oft repeated, more importantly frequently misused term. It’s a broad term, very powerful and encompassing the aspects prevailing in a strong movement towards a specified goal. The protagonist master minding the proposed assassination of the Frensch President in Frederick Forsyth’s “Day of the Jackal” is a perfect example of a master strategizer. Closer home, the now “lesser-known” late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K.Kamraj can probably be called a quiet strategiser. The way he steered the tumultuous parliamentarians after the sudden death of Nehru and Shastri to elect a new PM demonstrates the man’s credentials. One will brush aside his efforts. However, when the nation was gripped in the paradox of having to fight two wars, nature’s parsimonious treatment with absolutely no rains for two or more seasons and the demise of two noted leaders, somebody had to take the mantle to ensure smooth sailing. Mind you, this at a juncture when the citizens and well wishers had given up on India. K.Kamraj took the onus of electing a PM who could serve India at that juncture and the strategic decision was taken in favour of a young and authoritative Indira Gandhi.