'Politics was a mission but is now a profession'

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

''The sentiments of public welfare and services 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 people 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 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 good conduct was reciprocated.

''Whether it is Ms Uma Bharti or Mr Babulal Gaur or the present incumbent Mr 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 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.

UNI