‘Nice guy PM’ with record mandate or ‘blunder-prone dynast’-Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy on his anniversary

The 32nd death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi just passed us by. He stormed to power with a historic mandate after the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi, in 1984. Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks back at the 1980s to discuss the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi - from computers to economic growth, Sikh extremism to the northeast, India’s military modernisation and Bofors to Sri Lanka - and why he remains one of India’s most fascinating personalities in episode 1236 of #CutTheClutter
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Watch Cut The Clutter episode 158 here : • Was Rajiv Gandhi a pat...
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Watch Cut The Clutter episode 1228 here : • 25 years of Pokhran-2:...
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Read Shekhar Gupta's First Person Second Draft on Sri Lanka here : theprint.in/op...
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Read Shekhar Gupta's India Today article here : www.indiatoday...
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[@arjunps6776]

My dad worked in a Central govt department and was posted in Assam in May 1991. His leave was approved and we were planning to go for short vacation to our home town in Kerala. But on 22nd May morning, it was our milkman who told that Rajiv had been killed the previous night. Dad came and told us that his leave will be cancelled. Two years later, another summer vacation was ruined due to the Mumbai blasts when again my dad's leaves were cancelled. Those must have been tense times. I was just 8 years old in 1991. Didn't understand much.

[@nachisuggi3220]

India's most prominent leader india

[@awadheshkalia]

I have a very vivid memory of almost every thing recounted in this episode. The thoughts and impressions created by SG’s story telling here are quite in line with the thoughts created in the mind of a young and perceptive 25 years old then as the events of that half decade and later, were unfolding. A very objective recall and recount. Longowal and Assam accords, Op Brasstacks and then Op Trident, Srilanka accord and the IPKF, Shahbano case passed just in flint here, are all imprinted indelibly in my memory. It was when Shahbano verdict of SC was overturned through act of parliament that I felt deeply disappointed and realized Rajiv Gandhi was no leader but merely a product of circumstances of his birth and his mother’s assassination. His display of lack of moral courage was shattering for many of our generation who had believed truly in secularism and in constitution. Thereafter believing in allegations of bribery in Bofors procurement was easy. Thankyou for taking us down the memory lane of the times so vividly SG.

[@ThePrintIndia]

Thank you, Awadhesh ji, I'm glad you liked this episode. Those really were some very interesting times with many events that affect us even today. Do keep watching and writing in...best wishes, Shekhar

[@sidhnaagambedkar5419]

Sir by reading your comment I am thinking how some journalists in future would look up at this era of BJP and Mr.Modi . I am 25 years now how would I recall events of this age . Sir it seems Time keeps passing !

[@kmh9817]

@@ThePrintIndia please make news on on going case of Murder of a Lady SI in Assam and the amount of Astonishing Irregularities which are bone chilling. The matter needs National Attention or else it would go unnoticed. Suspect of Involvement of Higher officials , irregularities in Post Mortem procedure and Bollywood style painting of the Situation.

[@awadheshkalia]

@@sidhnaagambedkar5419 we all become part of our own history in the later years. Your own private impressions of acts surrounding you become the true memories. Your own acts are also noticed and will be recorded in history. So, being true to one’s conscience is the best contribution to the history. That’s the best service a perceptive young man can do to the society. Best wishes.

[@life4us481]

You didn't mention of him allowing Babri masjids locks to be opened.

[@rekhamittal5003]

Such a fascinating episode. Being in the Army at the time, as a young Captain, the narration evoked flashbacks so real, I got goosebumps.

[@JohnSmith-vn8dm]

The Bofors scandal is about more than just bribes for one gun. It left a legacy across India's defense procurement for decades. The effects of corruption are bad, but the bureaucratic paralysis it causes afterwards is often much worse. Take the Dassault Mirage saga as an example. Towards the end of the 90s France was closing down their Mirage 2000 production line to prepare to manufacture the Rafale. India needed jets to replace the Mig-21 and France was willing to sell India the Mirage 2000 line at a reasonable price. It would have been cheap, indigenous (via HAL) and quick to market. A perfect arrangement. But partially because the government at the time felt it should get more capability and not an "old" production line, and mostly because of fears of corruption allegations with a single vendor purchase, the acquisition was put up to a public tender. After years the RFP was put out but the UPA government couldn't afford to pay the price required for the expensive but successful Rafale. And so the program to replace the Mig-21 has dragged on for decades. A classic example of how the perfect is the enemy of the good. Bofors led to a permanent lack of political courage. And the fault doesn't just lie with the ruling party, because whichever party is in opposition in India, they are never responsible with their criticism. They will either screech about foreign corruption, or make ridiculous claims about selling out to Adani/Ambani billionaires and the conspiratorial minded Indian public lap it up. National interest be damned. And the Indian government does itself no favors by emphasizing offsets so heavily in its defense contracts. The irony is both UPA and NDA shied away from fully embracing the private sector for defense for fear of the Adani/Ambani conspiracies, while India continues to purchase arms from private companies abroad.

[@MAC-vi7fy]

Fun fact HAL was a private company founded by harichand ji

[@bambu3954]

You conveniently forget the aircraft carrier and war boats for the italian extended family for a holiday to andamans and the whole island was shut down for 2 weeks?

[@globalcitizenn]

BS

[@sandrew1563]

Very well said!

[@veryflow1156]

Atleast nda is now manufacturing defence stuff in India

[@knm1819]

One of your observation is spot on. If re elected to be a PM again Rajiv would be a much different and person who learned his lesson. Exactly the same remark was passed by the legendary Cho Ramaswamy who took his interview before his death. He had , for a politician, tried to be honest and well intentioned. But all happened for good. Only because of failed Manmohan era we got Modi asPM . It’s India’s fate and good time that three things had happened. Death of Pramod Mahajan , removal of Sudarshan as RSS chief and utter disgrace of weak PM in MMS. If the manipulative Promod was alive there would be no chance for Modi to cross Gujarat. MMS regime made people look for a strong leader. New RSS leader Bhagavat was Modi’s childhood friend and his father an RSS leader was the well-wisher of young Modi. With his support he rose to become PM. Men are not perfect. Modi may have many faults. But no sensible person can contest the fact that he had revolutionised India internally and externally. I know you are not a fan of Modi. But I hope you will , at the least , grudgingly admit to this fact about Modi that he is a man of destiny for India and will be remembered as the PM who turned the corner for India.

[@edisonbrain]

Shekhar ji - I was 12 years old at this time. Our family subscribed to India Today which was your employer at this time. It was a real great magazine - a thick one full of rich content for news buffs. I chat oed every single page. The India Today magazine of today is not the same product - it is a thin and intellectually shallow magazine. Your videos bring that depth back to the news world that India Today did in the 1980s. Depth is not everyone’s cup of tea but in my shoes you are simply the best in the industry !!

[@ThePrintIndia]

Thank you for the kind words, my friend. I'm glad you liked this episode. Do keep watching and writing in. Any feedback from our viewers/readers is most welcome...best wishes, Shekhar

[@bpscforall]

Shekhar Gupta, explanation is better than school teacher.

[@RM-lg2cm]

Quite scary to see Shekhar wave his ever so leaky black ink pen around, with the cap removed!!

[@dandmello5283]

The PEN.. so maybe you seen it

[@aaacsacahh9088]

Sir I am a Bengali. Here our Chief Minister is running the goon raj. Please take a look. Sandeshkhali, Birbhum, Bhangar, one after another, save us from their oppression.

[@jagthebest007]

Sir, he brought telephone, television and most importantly top quality computer science education to India. Most of the world including China did not have it. Current India wouldn't be possible without it.

[@dandmello5283]

Shekarji deserves a ❤❤lovely thumbs up... For taking time to dig in the ORIGINAL INDIAN story A class a part

[@NarendraKumar-hq5bv]

Really!! That is the difference between a reporter plus editor and analyst, and only an ivory tower person. You cannot know anything UNLESS you spend years in the grass roots level. This is my feeling, as to why Indian Intellectuals are out of touch with facts and realities. Our founding fathers had a deep connect with our land, our people and were activist too. Just a POV.

[@kartik7561]

The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Indian Constitution, introducing local self governance in rural and urban India respectively, were passed in 1992 under the Prime Ministership of Shri PV Narasimha Rao.

[@libshastra]

Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi, both of them are examples of Congress sycophancy and royal privilege. Sanjay wasn't even an MP but he got stadiums, chowks, colleges and National Park named after him. Rajiv, right after his "Big tree falls" speech Buta and Zial Singh rushed to hold Rajiv's hand and convince him that he was the sole successor of Indira Gandhi's legacy and he had to become PM. Both became pilots despite dropping out of college, at a time when you had to acquire a permission letter from DGCA before you could enrol in pilot school. While writing my 12th board exams, I wondered who created this terrible system of education that tortures students till they commit suicide and turns out it was Rajiv's National Policy on Education. NPE's insistence on equalization policy made us dumber and made teachers insist on memorization rather than critical thinking. Board exams became a test of who can vomit the most accurate canned answer. This is probably the most understated terrible reforms enacted by Rajiv Gandhi.

[@dandmello5283]

Your comments it's Ike Its smells 😢 RAT IN the kitchen.. check it out

[@Avinashm7]

Dumbo no one dropped school like your feku Don't spread your WhatsApp University here 😂

[@Suresh_Kamath]

Andhbhakt rantings

[@harshitsinghania]

​@@Suresh_Kamathnow, let's be civil here, there are goods and bads in everyone. The point this person is making is not wrong, it did happen in his time and we criticize it still. Also one cannot forget the rigging of Kashmir elections in 87 that led to Kashmiri Pandit genocide.

[@rodriguesroshan]

Shekhar ji, you are one among my most favourite journalists. And I came to know about you only through India Today. I am a die hard Rajiv fan. My first introduction to India today was many years ago, when browsing through an old library I found an old magazine dated January 1987. It had a beautiful picture of Rajiv and I was so fascinated by it that I thought to tear the page which had the picture for safekeeping. But instead, fortunately, I thought I will keep the magazine and that was India Today. India Today of those times has meant a lot to me. My respect for the magazine's team has remained steadfast which had (now familiar to me) stalwarts like yourself, Dilip Bobb, Indrajit Bhadwar, Prabhu Chawla, Suman Dubey, Raghu Rai, Vir Sanghvi, Bhawan Singh, Prashant Panjiar, Pramod Pushkarna, Tavleen Singh and offcourse the (old) Aroon Purie. I have preserved scores of old copies in my collection some prominent among which feature the first introduction issue of Dec. 1975, Guwahati Congress convention, 1977 elections, Morarji Desai becoming PM, Maneka leaving the Gandhi house, Punjab and Bhindranwale, aftermath of Operation Bluestar, Mrs Gandhi's Assassination, Bhopal gas tragedy, Rajiv's election as PM, HS Longowal's Assassination, General Vaidya's assassination, Bofors controversy, VP Singh's resignation, Indo Sri Lankan Accord, Rajiv's China visit, Ayodhya Shilanyas, VP Singh's election as PM, Mandal agitation, Rath Yatra of LK Advani, Chandrashekhar becoming PM, Chandrashekhar's resignation, 1991 elections and ultimately Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and Narasimha Rao becoming PM. I have also preserved the old anniversary issues (huge thick souvenirs) of India Today of the 10, 15, 25, 30, 35 and 40th anniversary. My love for Rajiv coupled with the honest journalism propagated by the then India Today of which you were a core member then, has brought me to understand more about the momentous, decisive yet controversial modern history of our great country. Hats off to you and your journalism which we admire and love even today. I still like reading your old articles and essays whenever I browse the old issues in my collection. Thank you very much for your true journalism. (Sorry to say that these days I no longer have the respect for India Today magazine after they lost the sincerity, honesty and courage (few years ago),which was indeed their soul, USP and hallmark)

[@manjurangra56469]

Thank you for your anaylsis Mr Rajeev Gandhi essentially a remarkable PM a leader not to be forgotten Miss him .

[@bhargavaram7461]

Except knowing Rajiv as ex PM and most streets , stadiums ,etc on his name .. actually came to know where Rahul Gandhi's talent was from...

[@awadheshkalia]

Bang on 🎯 Exactly my thoughts as I watched the episode 😂😂

[@AmitSinghCRT]

Your anecdotes are wonderful. Especially about the mirage photoshoots. Great episode.

[@jw8752]

Accurate! Thinking back, Mr Rajiv Gandhi was on a sincere come back trail, after massive hiccups earlier due to inexperience and bad guidance. A nation always needs a solid mind right at top and not just a proportionate number of able cohorts to assist a simple minded PM.

[@pravinmeher2036]

*1984 broken society* was created thanks to him and his close aides. instead of asking question him, SG is giving credit for starting dialogues with Sikhs .. OMG.. such unbiased love..

[@Suresh_Kamath]

Your bias clear. The current prime monster is architect of Godhra massacre. He deliberately instigated Hindus to kill Muslims. Even now the prime monster and his party continues to drive a wedge between Muslims and Hindus. Rajiv Gadhi did initiate dialogue with Sikhs. He signed the agreement with Longowal.

[@infinitejourney...]

I didn’t like Rajivji but the way you explained everything , gave me bigger picture and now I don’t dislike him. He was inexperienced but patriot. Thank you 🙏🏽 SG sir

[@vijaygautam1406]

Rajiv Gandhi, despite his naiveness, was a patriot and had a progressive mindset. He did commit some mistakes - among the most grave ones was sending IPKF to Sri Lanka, for which he later paid the ultimate price. However, there is no denying that he left a profound legacy behind him, the many fields as Shekhar ji says. He tried to modernize education also, but just one term is less to make an impact. Also, he tried to ride two boats by appeasing both Hindu and Muslim voters, but lost out on both in the end. And as Shekhar ji pointed out, gradually alienate the Dalit voters also (pardon my use of the word for our brothers). The present state of Congress party is pathetic, and far from its old glorious days. A good opposition party is always needed for good democracy, but Congress is getting farther and farther from that with each passing year. And the prime reason for its falling upon bad times is undoubtedly the people at the top.

[@2010anilshukla]

Delicious episode- with Rajiv you can say you may like him or not like him but it’s impossible to dislike him or hate him. For the youth he epitomised aspiration but unfortunately promised more than what he delivered. But like all celebrities who died young- Madhubala and Elvis for example, the abiding image will always be of a young man, a sort of tragedy king - an impression reinforced by his tragic and violent assassination which really shocked the world.

[@ThePrintIndia]

Well, everyone, at least from those days, has their own strong opinion on Rajiv Gandhi, and yes, for many the abiding image is, perhaps, defined by the manner of his death...Thank you, Anil, for watching and for your support...best wishes, Shekhar

[@2010anilshukla]

@@ThePrintIndia ❤

[@tapemaj]

Rajiv Gandhis most renowned speech in Lok Sabha mocking the BJP at that point was “ Hum do - hamare do “ ! When BJP had only 2 seats in the aftermath of Indira Gandhis assassination . Yes , he did pioneer the telecom and computer revolution in India with his trusted Sam Pitroda at the helm as IT czar ! Rest is history 32 years later …

[@Earlytorise89]

Well, that aged well.

[@vish3161]

I remember his "hum jeetengey ya loosengey" !

[@ThePrintIndia]

Quite right, that is one of his more well-known speeches...Thank you for watching, my friend. And thank you also for your support...best wishes, Shekhar

[@nagarajanv6381]

I was in the US when Rajiv, who was still an airline pilot, was touring and was assiduously sought after by the media, given his youth and political prospects, being an heir to the Nehru clan. He was somewhat shy and also came across as not very bright. One thing people like him prove is that with a little bit of cunning, you can make it as a successful politician. Had he not been Indira Gandhi's son, he would have remained an airline pilot.

[@poo-tinthedwarfbunkerb1tch535]

So....just like the tea seller in charge of the country currently...

[@salilchh]

Rajiv visited my hometown Darjeeling twice as PM....First time i was too young to remember but the second time in 1989, i remember as we school kids we made to stand on the road just outside school through which his cavalcade passed. It was tough days for us with the gorkhaland agiatation and he had immense security,but as he saw school kids he just rolled down the black windows of the speeding ambassador and waved back at us and quickly retreated,but I did see him at about 10 feet or so...Next few days I would tell this story to everyone and their mother😊

[@NarendraKumar-hq5bv]

This is superb Shekharji, and also the recent previous one, of the 3 stages of his political life. As they say, "..History is nobody's. Let the facts speak for themselves..." ... Also, what greater stories can there be? Thanks!! This is very educative for us, and also, for our world of "intellectuals" today, who distort History itself, with all kinds of half selected facts / truths. These videos of Rajiv, one on Pawar and many more personalities, are like stories with themes!! Politics matters being the over arching theme!!

[@pichumanisankar2617]

Excellent, whenever SG delves into the past his depth and narration skills are incomparable. Waiting for his memoirs.

[@lisasinha3082]

My father was posted in Assam when Rajiv Gandhi govt finalised Assam Accord. I remember his speeches in DD. He alighting from Maruti 1000. He riding planes. He and Sonia eating ice cream. He and Sam Pitroda. Schools introduced computers. Shah Bano case, Bofors, VP Singh,Mandal Commission protests, Chandrasekhar. Coaliyion politics. He supported rise of Mamata Banerjee. And then just one morning radio news said he has been assasinated. Sonia Gandhi refused to enter politics and we had PVN Rao as prime minister. So many changes.

[@1952veekay]

Thank you for your analytical views. Why no body is giving credit to Rajiv Gandhi for the 10 technology missions introduced by him?

[@girirajgupta2105]

Well he was both great and horrible He screwed kashmir He swerved Sri Lanka mission Had heavy curruption under his rule Bla bla bla He was both good and bad and thus not given much credit for his role He was horrible in internal security but was glorious in reforms

[@gangadharannedunghat1843]

One of your best commentaries. He gets full marks for being the most handsome Indian Prime Minister so far.

[@akshytube]

He came to Bhadravathi in Karnataka to get the golden key to flourishing 20k employees VISL and guess what in a decade the company was down and closed... I was 5 std and the school was declared half day holiday.That was the legacy he left behind for me.

[@rusty1806]

Don’t know why journalists love this guy so much not sure what will be the parameter to call him a failure and a uptight dynast.

[@saptarshidhar323]

A first rate kind man who was not meant for politics!

[@BlahAndBlah]

In a way Indian democracy may have benefitted with a personality like Rajiv Gandhi at the helm during the 80s. If his brother was in charge it would have been more fractious and turbulent. From what I read about him in the 80s he seemed more like a middle manager thrust into a CEOs role.

[@BlahAndBlah]

@@verityveracity6704 I don't give a rat's arse about the Gandhi family and I don't see how not liking Modi automatically makes you into a Gandhi family fan. If anything I think Modi is doing a splendid job. That doesn't mean that other people must agree with me and if they don't they are somehow traitors etc. etc.

[@janakiramrajkumar]

Congratulations to Sekhar Gupta for capturing the era of Shri. Rajiv Gandhi perfectly to the T. I have heard of personal accounts from people who had interactions with Shri.Rajiv Gandhi even from his days as a pilot at Indian Airlines. He never used his position to interfere with the rostering process of Pilots, He never chose the co-pilots he flew with. He and his family were extremely polite and courteous to the SPG officers who worked with him and his family.

[@psingh007]

All I remember..... Hamein dekhna hai... Humne dekhaa haii.. Hum dekhtey rahengey... All talk no action..

[@RRR-nz8pi]

Shekhar is just exaggerating the prince's micro miniscule success and down playing his humongous blunders

[@swaditi1]

Namak of 75 years give back

[@MAC-vi7fy]

You can’t deny his military modernisation though. Even Modi have modernised that much

[@kumarm5961]

Always sekhar sir is proud congress flag bearer for everything achieve in his life due to his alliance

[@gajendrapatil1762]

Rajiv Gandhi was visionary, Who opened doors for computers , established C-DAC which developed first supercomputer, He invested Heavily in telecommunications expansion with CDOT , Aggressively expanded Indian Navy , Time magazine dedicated entire issue in 1987 projecting India as superpower , He started Navodaya vidyalaya for excellent education to bright children in rural India ,Rajiv Gandhi start loosing when he was surrounded by Arjunsing, VP sing third grade advisors.

[@keshavkaushik21]

If Rajiv opened computers then how come Infosys which was launched in 1981 worked?? Computer was launched in 1950's

[@gajendrapatil1762]

@@keshavkaushik21 you may be unaware of that he started computer based railway tickets booking , encouraged use of computers in Government offices , established C-DAC please do not see through political goggles.

[@sohambanerjee99]

@@keshavkaushik21 Well said! Political sycophancy has its limits! On all sides!

[@sramsrinii]

Great Job and very balanced essay Shekhar ji. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@bakuleshantani7431]

Two of his biggest blunders were 1. On the economy front. He borrowed a lot from international institutions. This extra money supply created Maya of gdp growth which looked healthy. Mostly he used funds for importing skd kits of TVs and computers while not growing the industry from grass roots level. People like Montek kept on telling him to liberalise but he didn’t. Ultimately it led to financial crisis which was tackled by Narasimha Rao. 2. He talked about taking India to twenty first century but didn’t do anything. He and Pitroda merely brought automotaic telephone exchanges instead of manual ones. However the world was moving fast with Internet,mobile telephony,broadband etc. With later liberalisation we truly modernised with mobiles,internet and liberal forex which enabled us to become software powerhouse. Even TV was liberalised after Rajiv left resulting into private channels and satellite transmission. Rajiv’s were wasted years.

[@patmclaughlin107]

I was 11 years old when Rajiv was assassinated. I lived in a small town in south coastal Andhra. Congress was extremely strong in the state back then. There was a lot of violence - Congress goons burnt down railway stations and other public property. Some Tamil-owned businesses were attacked and looted. God, those were depressing times.

[@docuking669]

@Lou Smith whats with these fake ids? lou smith and pat mclaughlin are not ur real names

[@mrdotkg]

While Cut the clutter is derailed from cutting the clutter, I have found FirstPost by Palki Sharma a good place for important geopolitical news.

[@pspandey1]

Historical analysis with facts by very learned journalist.kindly if possible can you analyse the deeds of all Prime Ministers of India after independence- comparative account.

[@SasidharKota]

The reason countries like Singapore shine is that their leader Lee Kuan Yew made good use of the majority and make the country a super power despite lacking natural resources or any big army. On the contrary, with a landslide majority, Mr. Rajic could have made wonders but chose the other way. For this reason, he should be remembered and cited as an example for future generations on how not to waste or misuse power and hence lead a nation into a disaster rather than development. Despite all his other initiatives, I feel Mr. Rajiv's failures outweigh far more than his success

[@JohnSmith-vn8dm]

Signapore had the advantage of a good location which made a huge difference in shipping. That was their natural resource. If India is going to look anywhere for how a country modernizes and becomes a superpower it should look at Japan in the Meiji era.

[@MrReaperish]

A very interesting and unbiased take, Have heard the bads before The Sikh Riots , Bofors Scandel, Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka against the Tamils. But this covered the other side The offensive front for the defence forces, Operation Black Thunder, Leading the Movement to a Nuclear Capable India, The peace accords in some North east states leading to its stability until date. Indeed an eye opener, Again the bads here may overweight the Good based on perceptions but it is very important that everybody knows the history as it is and as it is coming from an esteemed journalist like you, it makes it all the more important.

[@akshytube]

Looks like you are new to CTC as given the chance SG never, (his style) NEVVVER misses out on his achievements where ever possible in fact he induces it more often.

[@tejamysore3699]

23:09 ShekharJi, the Bofors issue is not about the efficiency or quality of the gun... it is that Rajiv was CORRUPT. What does the fact that Bofors is a good gun, even 30 yrs on, have anything to do with him lining his pockets?? With your and my tax money. The desperate need to be a Gandhi family apologist mars the quality of your journalism

[@harshitsinghania]

Shekharji, you also forgot the rigging of Kashmir elections in 1987, which was the big trigger leading to Kashmiri Pandot genocide.

[@lokeshlal281]

Respected Sir, Let's get you a new mic so we can hear you more crisply!

[@SkSingh-tu8un]

A absolutely correct historical record of the Rajiv Gandhi era. Personally I feel apart from the Assam accord his real achievement was computerization....a move which was widely criticised by the opposition then on grounds of making a bad situation worse vis a vis unemployment. Rest as is oft stated is history.

[@promethiumcatalyst]

The audio in these videos always seems to cutting out every few seconds.

[@amitavasaha3057]

Not a singe line on how Rajeev Gandhi mishandled Kashmir. Find it a bit dishonest attempt.

[@celestialspartan7977]

He has given not one but two star campaigners for Modi....that is his biggest achievement

[@pravinmeher2036]

How can you blame SG for biasedness.. See his love for rajiv is so unbiased, so unhyphenated so, unadulterated.

[@jaspreetmodi]

Kindly do justice to such stories like this i.e. a PM's tenure by spending 2 to 3 hours on it and give a wholesome picture of all aspects from economy to social to political. How come he was not crowned as the final destroyer of Indian economy before 91 happened.

[@satheeshsadanand]

This episode is a masterclass in journalism. Thank you Mr. Shekhar Gupta 🎉

[@licencedtowatch]

Rajiv Gandhi's and Congress government of the time ran unsustainable Budgets with record fiscal deficits and high inflation..... The period of the 80's eventually led to the economic crisis of 1991. It took a miracle lead by PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh to turn around the economy... We are blessed to have had a PM like Rao who took a big political risk.... Rajiv Gandhi was himself the finance minister for ne of the years and he presided over record high fiscal deficits

[@MAC-vi7fy]

It’s funny how Mayawati 2:11 is nobody today

[@jayantjolly]

Great episode including all the anecdotes. I believe Bhopal gas tragedy also happened during his time.

[@dandmello5283]

Shekarji in his brilliance of our times journalism❤ so very true and talented Thanks sir for reminding us of. Our not so past history Your excellent Journalism it can do a millions wonders

[@fekubuster1888]

Fair and balanced assessment of India's greatest PM in my lifetime. If we are still talking about a single term PM after 32 years of his death, it means he made a massive impact. India before Rajiv was a 3rd world country known for Socialism. Rajiv Gandhi initiated radical reforms that have made India powerful and prosperous. Perhaps not a savvy politician, but a great reformer and a true patriot.

[@pm6127]

We are still talking about it because congress party tried to plaster his name all over the country. Even his brother with zero achievements has got national parks named after him. Rajeev came & went. India still remained a 3rd world country.

[@ramkrishn4762]

Late RG want to be self made but one way forced into politice. 500 provinces meeting national demand in India was remote. Well dependent on polity mapped to north and submissive south; he miscalculated inner political of Elam demand and messaed with external politicea; where USA don't want any credit to india. Victimised by own party. There are many conspiracy theories from Italy, Britain to USA. Post demise of his brother, the pivot to india political stability was swinged largely to south.

[@KailashSingh-fm3vu]

Rajiv was a clean person, got himself embroiled in Bofors controversy as he opted to come clean, unnecessarily. He was back stabbed by two crooks Zail Singh n VP Singh. A lesson for future PMs to choose future President n Governor nominees after careful scrutiny. ,e.g. we have a nut case in Satyapal Malik.

[@hareshkanzaria6438]

A good piece of Journalism that will compel you to read atleast 5 books on contemporary Indian Politics.

[@GinzaGeorge]

Good recap. Thank you.

[@souravpandey8750]

literally every 3/4 key places/monument is named after mahatma gandhi/J. nehru/indira gandhi/rajiv gandhi..there were many more people who had role to play during independence and post independence,who never received recognition.

[@jaydeepgadhavi5465]

Just last one. He was the PM, who opened a thaw in India China relations after a freeze of more than 2 decades

[@akshat_khare]

I think if sonia gandhi was pm during UPA's tenures then there would be more statue , national parks and stadiums on her name , if UPA gets power in future . This sickens me to my core , as if nehru dynasty are some kind of demigods . What competence does priyanka gandhi holds , but still congress projects her as messiah . Her biggest merit according to congressis is her looks are as her grandmother. We are talking about nation of one and half billion people , so by same logic if raga son looks like nehru then he must be made pm 😢😢😢

[@ramachandrankannan274]

As a college student, I remember the sense of excitement and expectation when Rajiv Gandhi became PM. However, I think SG has ignored some very important aspects of Rajiv's tenure: 1. The infamous Shah Bano case where he grovelled before the Muslim clergy. The Congress has, since tgen, never been able to shrug its image as primarily as party for the Mullahs, not the common man. 2. His introduction of anti defection law which changed the politics of Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram 3. His introduction of computer culture despite massive opposition by virtually every politician and bureaucrat. This laid the foundation for today's IT industry He started with a progressive economic liberalisation programme. However, the Congress lost an election in Haryana and changed his policy. This led to bad economic policies and this ultimately saw him he8ng voted out

[@Manijkoi]

The legacy of him i remember as a tamil person is ipkf and his assassination

[@harisundar8698]

SG you missed his contribution to telecommunications, his govt’s welfare schemes and the growth of economy during his tenure as PM.

[@rajendrakhanorkar5279]

Brilliant all inclusive analysis

[@anuragsharma8567]

It's better to have people like a jaishankar and ajit dobhal or civil servants prominently to be the president of India

[@matte67]

It will be catastrophic move.

[@abyranni2565]

I still remember the slogan, “I am young and I too have a Dream “ Rajiv was a good fellow who wished the best for India and did whatever he could to change India . However, he was surrounded by the power hungry establishments who had their own vested interest and manipulated him. He was too young in politics to understand their motives. Also china supported leftist (mainly CPM) journalists ( not sure how many of you know, a large number of Indian news media reporters are the followers of leftist ideology) created enough noise and troubles preventing him to govern and focusing only on issues.

[@prosenjitbanerjee7490]

Rajiv Gandhi was a great pm who had a secular image but sadly he chose the wrong people in his inner circle who I'll advised him But his intentions were good.. perhaps he was too inexperienced then to become a pm..to become a pm one needs to have a CM experience, it really helps

[@pedadasiddardha9655]

You are telling that Rajiv is secular Then what about Shabanao case , what about opening Ram Mandir gates in spite of warning from intelligence , secularism means government administration should be away from religious activities but is it happening since 1947/1950 some ppl will make cmts pm/cm participates in temple inauguration but remain silent if pm/cm visits iftar parties/Christ eve Is this call the secularism ?

[@prosenjitbanerjee7490]

@@pedadasiddardha9655 every politician is playing the religious , caste card which is unfortunate..it's happening in usa too where Trump is trying to win over the white working class population...

[@Masiba7517]

he messed up bilkis banu case

[@kirandeepchakraborty7921]

Every Prime Minister is of great consequence. Maybe even Greater than one can comprehend.

[@jaydeepgadhavi5465]

At 28:19, only One !! So clearly the current hon. Governor of Kerala, isn't any...🤔🤔

[@ckjaidev]

Imperiously dismissing Veerendra Patil and Anjaiah as CMs in Karnataka and AP set the stage for greater regionalisation of politics. Behaving like an emperor and treating southern states like vassal states. I also recall making fun of him with his constant refrain ‘Humein dekhna hai ….’ This dynastic and a communal (shah Bano etc camouflaged as secularism) dynamic is what set the stage for the joke we are seeing now in the form of BJP.

[@subhrangsudutta8029]

I still remember those days. Among others I collected one book by M J Akbar. Grateful to you being one of our fine Journalists during ( সমসাময়িক) period 🙏🙏✍️✍️🙏🙏

[@sukhvindersingh1371]

This explanation such an eye opener. It explains the generational decline in the leadership abilities of Gandhis and everyone would shudder at the mere thought of Rahul becoming the PM.

[@pichumanisankar2617]

Bro, don’t forget history repeats itself.

[@ThePrintIndia]

I'm glad you liked this episode, Sukhvinder. Do keep watching and writing in...best wishes, Shekhar

[@rahulitrc]

I just don't understand that why we are giving credit to Late Rajiv Gandhi for 1984 mandate. That mandate was because Mrs Indira Gandhi was brutally murdered and people were sympathetic towards Rajiv. It's not like he won that mandate because of his policies

[@jaspreetmodi]

very charitable views. 415 seats was the chief architect of a total destruction of India's economy within 2 years of him leaving office. It forced the 91 reforms.

[@CorporateOffice-ek3vv]

The audio quality is not the best

[@kaustubh14jr]

He gave us Sonia and more importantly Rahul Gandhi. We can see how Rahul Gandhi will fare as a PM with no experience.

[@pravinmeher2036]

at end SG's biggest complain about Rajiv.. "he initiated destruction of heartland vote bank of his party.. LOL"

[@shivkumarrp8515]

He was killed just when he had learnt his lessons in 1991. His sri lanka misadventure cost him his life.

[@SJ00889]

Rajeev Gandhi was the original Pappu. He was a political novice.

[@jauhariakash]

I am still not voting for Rahul. Thanks Mr Gupta 😊

[@sukhvindersingh1371]

Could not find the link to w "Walk the talk with Arun Singh"

[@dineshprabhu7874]

You spent much time on Punjab and Assam. But only referenced Shah Bano Case and Temple opening just in the passing while these blunders were more bigger andnhavebita impact even niw

[@sameerpandey14]

No one is perfect. I will wait for the future story on Sonia Gandhi and how she used the mandate and helped to annihilate the killers of RG. India is still proud of Bofors guns and using the transferred tech to manufacture more such guns.

[@kargreat]

In a compulsion to be neutral, Shekhar Gupta underplays Mr Gandhis screw ups and overplays his minimal success . People who lived will know. His election loss is substantial and proves his misrule

[@Suresh_Kamath]

He was going to win the election in 1991. But he was assassinated. As far as BOFORS is concerned every one were acquitted.

[@akshytube]

Well said.

[@MrSiddthecampionite]

When we wear shaded glasses everything appears to us as not what is but how we want to see it. May be you need to self reflect too

[@sivasakthisaravanan4850]

7:40 He spoke against Mandal Commission Report on the floor of Lok Sabha during National Front government of VP Singh.

[@AvinashPatil-1]

Dear Shekhar ji, You missed very important disastrous decision he took during his term which in a way was classic abuse of his mandate. The Shahabano judgement reversal. The way he bowed to Muslim Clerics turned majority educated classes today away from Congress….permanently!!

[@sameerthakur720]

A bit of both, I think. A nice guy who didn't know the murky ins and outs of the Political corridors. He was a reluctant PM.

[@digvijaysingh026]

after knowing rajiv talent of giving speech now ik that rahul kis pr gya hai

[@arun4362]

Nice ⛬ historic wrap😊

[@anandtilaksg]

Just one passing mention of Shah bano ? And you keep insisting us to believe you are a journalist? That too unbiased !!! You will any bravery award.

[@shashankshekharsingh7854]

Why you are uploading video at 12 pm