Politics was a mission but is now a profession: Jakhar

Bhopal, Aug 11: Describing the modern-era conversion of politics into a profession from a mission as extremely saddenning, Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar has said politics was not untouched by the decline in every social sector.

''The sentiments of public welfare and service have dwindled.

There was a time when politics was a better medium for service and welfare,'' he told UNI.

Pointing out that the political arena was not unaffected by moral decline and aberration, Dr Jakhar added that public power was supreme in the world's largest democracy and this power could show directionless public representatives the right path.

Responding to a question, the governor said, ''The objectives, for which our immortal freedom fighters sacrificed everything, did not appear to be fulfilled after independence. Every person, especially resourceful and powerful ones, must ask himself or herself what he or she did for the poor and the deprived.'' The meaning of being a human being is to come to others' aid, he said.

''The difference of philosophy in the old and new generations of leaders gets naturally exposed. In the former, dedication had a cardinal place,'' Dr Jakhar felt.

With regard to his fine coordination with the three chief ministers who came to power in rapid succession since the BJP assumed Madhya Pradesh's reins in the winter of 2003, the governor said that good conduct was reciprocated.

''Whether it is Ms Uma Bharti or Mr Babulal Gaur or the present incumbent Shivraj Singh Chouhan, I enjoy cordial relations with the trio. The governor's constitutional role is that of a patriarch,'' Dr Jakhar added. The eminent agriculturist felt that community farming should be adopted as a principal alternative in agri-based Madhya Pradesh.

''In the mid-sixties, when I first cultivated grapes in my native village Panchkosi in Punjab, the elders said I had gone crazy.

Later, the entire village accepted my experiment and Panchkosi was discussed internationally,'' Dr Jakhar claimed.

Maintaining that a farmer ought not to shy away from experimentation, he added that oranges from this state's Vidisha district were not in any way inferior to their counterparts from Nagpur.

''I admit that Madhya Pradesh's higher education scene leaves a lot to be desired but I am endeavouring to modernise universities by improving teaching, facilities and the resources position. In meetings, I constantly encourage vice-chancellors to weed out copying during exams,'' the chancellor said.

UNI