"First of all, I don't consider this an achievement at all. When I started this business as a young person, I had a mission to provide products and services beneficial to people, market my products and services using honest means and earn a fair income from my business. I was steadfast in my objective and ran my business sticking to the norms of high quality, fair price and doing the business without considering my competitors as enemies. I believe that this approach brought me success, in a natural way."
"Apart from being a successful businessman, you have also been a member of the Responsible People's Party (RPP), holding a senior position in the party hierarchy. What was the reason for your joining the RPP?"
"RPP is not like other political parties. Mr. Ramraj, the founder of the party chose this name for the party, to emphasize that the party should function in a responsible way. In a way, it is significant that the founder of this party has the name Ramraj. Many political parties use the term 'Ram raj,' meaning the 'reign of Rama,' the legendary hero of the epic Ramayana, as an empty slogan. In contrast to other political parties who mechanically use this term as a catchy slogan, without even having a proper understanding of what 'Ram raj' is, Mr. Ramraj has created a blueprint of how the government should function in the 'Ram raj,' and what the responsibilities of the people should be in such a framework.' I was convinced that this approach would lead to good governance, development of the country and improvement in the standard of living of the people. As a citizen of this country, I felt that I should extend my support to this idea and contribute my mite to the success of the political party that espoused this idea."
"But, even ten years after RPP was launched, the party has not grown much. The party has not been able to win more than three or four seats in elections.
"I think Mr. Ramraj had anticipated that electoral successes won't come easily for a party with such lofty ideals, a party that wouldn't make tall promises to the people but would tell the people that they have some responsibilities too! If someone wanted to join RPP, Mr. Ramraj would tell them, 'If you have expectations of becoming a member of parliament, a legislator etc, don't join this party. Join this party only if you have the resolve to uphold certain good values and fight for them.' Only if they want to join the party, even after realizing the truth of his statement, he will admit them into the party.
"Why did Mr. Ramraj start this party, even after knowing that the chances of his party succeeding in its mission were not bright?"
"When I posed this question to Mr. Ramraj, this was the answer he gave me: 'When Rajaji was asked, 'Nehru is a leader who enjoys a high level of popularity with people. Can you fight him politically and win? Rajaji replied, 'I know that fighting Nehru politically and winning is difficult. But when I believe that Nehru's policies and programs are harmful to the interests of this country, I have a duty to oppose them. If I don't, history will record, 'So much of wrong was going on. But no one opposed the wrongdoings' and blame us for failing in our responsibility.' I feel the same way. All of us have the responsibility to point out the mistakes and wrongdoings of the government and several political parties and show the right path to the people. Even if what we say is not being accepted by people at the beginning, we need to keep making our efforts.' This was the response of Mr. Ramraj."
"This is a commendable attitude, indeed. Do you believe that the efforts made by your party have made at least some impact on the people?"
"Definitely. Today, other political parties are talking about things that we talked about twenty years back. Though we are a democracy, values like personal freedom, right to free speech and freedom of the media have been facing threats now and then, on account of the tendency of people in power to suppress voices critical of them. We are the only political party that has been raising the voice against such kind of oppressive measures. Though we are considered a small party, our bold, steadfast and uncompromising stand against oppression has given the stimulus and courage to many people to fight against injustice and autocracy. We have disproved the myth that a political party can do good to people only by being in power. Fighting for people's welfare and their rights and instilling the courage and the energy in people to fight against injustice is also a kind of service to the people, isn't it?'
"One final question. Which has given you more satisfaction - your achievements in the field of business and industry or your political activities?"
"As I had said earlier, if one is good at heart, if one has good intentions, that attitude will bring him success in life. Therefore, I don't consider my business success a great achievement. I consider my choosing to join a good political party like RPP and working as a member of the party for the development of our country and for the welfare of our people something to be proud of."
Shunning the Company of Mean People
ellAp pugazhum tharum.
Verse 456
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