- Sunil Rajguru
While the United States of America had several founding fathers, one historian identified seven as key: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
In the true spirit of democracy, four of these in the following order became US Presidents: Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison. The four ruled for 28 years from 1789-1817. The four geniuses each gave their special something and laid the foundations for a future superpower.
In fact, Washington (by one account) was so powerful that some even suggested that he could be a king if he liked. Washington settled for President and chose to serve just two terms even though he could have ruled for life. That set the standards for all the rest to follow.
In fact Washington wasn’t even associated with any party. When Adams became President, he was associated with the Federalist Party. Realizing the dangers of a single party system, Jefferson and Madison launched the Democratic-Republican Party (which later dropped the “Republican”).
The Republican Party, with its first President as Abraham Lincoln, led to a very healthy two-party system, something that lasts till this present day.
Now contrast this with the situation with India.
For one our leader Mahatma Gandhi refused to accept any kind of post in the government and chose to be a behind the scenes string puller.
Our most dynamic leader was probably Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and someone who arguably could have been the first Prime Minister of India. However, Gandhi didn’t like him and first fought with him and when he couldn’t prevent him from becoming Congress President, forced him to resign.
(Continued...)
Image: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru poses with his daughter Indira Gandhi, on February 25, 1961 in New Delhi.
Text: Sify
Images: AFP
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