My Tryst with Politicians.

My Tryst with Politicians.

I first met Swami Agnivesh. He was in a tearing hurry. He heard me briefly on his way out and said, "Oh yes, vaccination is a serious issue. There is a Bengali Dada campaigning vociferously on this. Some Chatterjee. Please contact him." Then he climbed into his car and sped away. I was left twiddling my thumbs. Next was Murli Manohar Joshi whom I met in Jantar Mantar. After listening he simply said, "I know about you." That's all. I met Govindacharya ji in a hotel in Hyderabad. Ram Madhav was with him. "Oh you are Jagannath Chatterjee," he said, "I read all your mails. You are doing a great job". Ram Madhav stared at me intently as I sat discussing with Govindacharya ji but never said a word. My meeting with George Fernandes in Kolkata was a bit revealing. "You see Jagannath," he said, "don't ever imagine that politicians do not know anything. They are mostly very well read and understand issues. But politics is about catering to the masses and dealing with emerging issues. Politicians speak out only when they know that the masses have woken up and an issue can no longer be ignored. Therefore I would advice you to wake up the masses. Before that I don't think any politician will be moved enough to intercede." And within one week of that President Abdul Kalam's last mail reached me, "You are a brave Bengali. You must have read Tagore - 'If the world does not respond to your call, walk alone'. Walk alone Mr Chatterjee. My blessings are with you." And walk alone I did.