( Prof. P K Sharma )
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know “, thus remarked a celebrated English romantic poet John Keats in the concluding lines of his wonderful poem, “Ode On A Grecian Urn”.
Mahatma Gandhi-the father of the nation who created his beautiful-famous a book “My Experiments With The Truth” and John Keats both amazingly saw truth and beauty alike in close kinship and harmony.
Does our dear Prime Minister too connote the truth and the beauty seeing them in the same hues both Keats and Gandhi used to see? Does not it need deep study and introspection on our part in the troubled and torn asunder a world order, hence springs up the yearning for entreaties and questions in plenty.
“We the people of India…..” earnestly call upon PM to please come out of the world of optics and rhetorics as enough is enough now. Too much basking in the glory of the courage, on the target strikes and valour of the defence forces of India during Operation Sindoor may elate PM a lot but not all the masses of India for the “mission unaccomplished ” left in the lurch with confusion and warnings galore of war still in lieu of terror. Even then, Tiranga Yatras, Gaudy Roadshows amidst flowery petal rains on PM alone to brag of talk, terror, pok, goli, gola, barood, warm, sindoor, veins, blood to make up for his “jolted as well as bruised confidence” regaining measure are not adequate but coming to terms with stark realities very pertinent too.
Ironically ,the President of India-supreme commander of India’s defence forces nowhere in the picture and lime light. No protocol observed by PM to brief her, neither convening of all party meet nor the special session of Parliament to apprise the opposition and countrymen about the developments since April 22 Baisaran Pahalgam massacre incident up to the de escalation as well as ambiguous ceasefire, swiftly switching on to the poll campaign exercise.
PM’s fond event management ,glamour and marketing ventures at present in full swing, have these any set tenure now or endless an exhibition on as ever? Is it now not worthwhile to return to the world of reality?
One fails to comprehend why did PM despatch seven delegations of political parties abroad when PM very proudly claims that Pakistan has been taught a lesson pushed into taming mode for its terror misadventure in Pahalgam by dashing to the ground its nine terror bred bases and a lot of their air installations too devastated? Why have the terrorists involved in Pahalgam massacre not been apprehended so far? Does not it sound paradoxical and vague? Will this terror counter attack thus yield any meaningful and lasting an outcome in the long run, still remains under cloud?
PM’s penchant for milking armed forces feats for electoral gains did tempt him to chest thumping spree following Balakot Strikes in 2019 Lok Sabha Polls, that inner urge still unsatiated brimming again, did not restrain him to find opportunity in every catastrophe be it now Pahalgam April 22 mishap. A couple of days after this mayhem PM boasted in Madhubani (Bihar) of responding to goli (bullet)with gola (mortar shell) but soon skipping two all party meetings. Though all opposition parties offered PM instant unconditional support in this hour of crisis yet he did not deem it fit to ring up both Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha-Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the House of Elders- Malikarjun Kharge at least to take them into confidence that too in India-“the mother of democracy” in his own words on de escalation-ceasefire decisions. For how long one way traffic in democracy and federalism work like this overlooking the nation’s polity in toto?
Rahul Gandhi’s three moot questions certainly deserve crystal clear answers not to enhance and thicken the room for further mist, mystery and suspicion pertaining to national and international developments since April 22 leading to May 10 evening the ceasefire. On terrorism why did PM believe in Pakistan version? Stooping before US President Donald Trump why did PM sacrifice nation’s interests? Why PM’s blood warms before cameras, PM should stop hollow speeches as he did comprise with nation’s honour? Why not to come out clean setting the record straight with the beauty of truth? Raising a bogey of grace and timing at this juncture is fraught with so many risks and pitfalls even Donald Trump has taken his and PM’s truth versions into a New York Court deposing in his affidavit that he had been instrumental in hammering ceasefire in wake of nuclear war ,tariff and trade threats. Erstwhile British Prime Minister Winston Churchill haunts at this moment in this context to cite, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” The Beauty of Truth obviously in question?
Why not to convene a special session of Parliament as soon as possible to put to rest all controversies and ambiguities once for all? Then it becomes imperative too that PM should share the grief and sorrow of aggrieved persons losing their kith and kin whether belonging to brave defence forces men and civilians losing their lives and property on Poonch, Rajouri borders and trouble torn state Manipur for over a year by paying a visit to these regions-Pahalgam,Poonch, Rajouri and Manipur to apply balm?
Kindly do not forget that “Excess of everything is bad.” therefore drum beating publicly every now and then of terror meeting ultimately war will consequently risk and jeopardise nation’s progress, prosperity advancement and development. The spectre of terror resulting into war will always scare foreign nation investors to come to India to invest in India as the agencies of India like CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax already not enjoying fair, fine and impartial reputation is likely to adversely affect the ideas of ease of doing business as well as foreign direct investment.The recent Reserve Bank of India report reveals that net foreign direct investment saw an abysmal slump of 96 percent in the financial year 2025 in comparison to the year 2024.The medium companies of India in large numbers are migrating to foreign soils like London, Singapore,Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Dubai for want of ease of doing business here in India with fluctuating outflow and inflow of FDI to ring alarming bells for the already tottering economy of the nation.
The 2016 disaster of demonetisation and subsequent erratic GST did break the backbone of small and medium businessmen. The middle class’s purchasing power has declined to the lowest ebb, hence to encourage demand in the market, money has to be pumped into the pocket of common man to boost up consumerism in the nation. For want of basic facilities, the middle class consuming stands at 100-150 millions in comparison to China’s 700-800 millions. Therefore, inclusive growth by taking Dalits, Muslims and Backwards all along is the dire need of the hour to push the economy on to the higher trajectory.
The affordable quality education as well as health care system, robust natural justice system, alleviation of poverty-disparities, overcoming sky rocketing unemployment, strengthening communal harmony, improving the poor plight of farmers and optimum exploitation- channelisation of demographic dividend in India are the priorities which India must pursue quite vigorously if it really wishes to be a developed nation very shortly.
Only a peaceful and harmonious nation can succeed in realising the dream of a prosperous, progressive and pioneer nation. Will PM bear in mind all these values truly and sincerely to usher India into a force to reckon with in the world thriving on collective wisdom, humility, consensus, accountability,
The two crutches of Modi led NDA regime at Centre Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar too have to play their agile, smart and constructive roles to make country progress by leaps and bounds in all respects otherwise the masses of India will not forget and forgive them too if nation finds itself derailed and slips off the track in any manner in these crucial and critical times when the entire world order is in pell-mell, chaos, and uncertainty. Both should not overlook the beauty of truth bearing in mind world icon Albert Einstein’s cautionary words, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything .”
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Contributed by: Prof PK Sharma Freelance Journalist,
Associate Professor of English(Retired), Pom Anm Nest, BARNALA(Punjab)
4 comments
Prof. P.K. Sharma’s piece is a poignant and heartfelt appeal to the Prime Minister of India, urging a shift from political optics to genuine engagement with the pressing issues facing the nation. Drawing inspiration from John Keats and Mahatma Gandhi, Sharma emphasizes the intrinsic connection between truth and beauty, calling for introspection amidst societal turmoil. He critiques the government’s handling of recent tragedies, including the Pahalgam massacre, and highlights the need for transparency and accountability in governance. The author insists on the importance of inclusive growth, stronger democratic principles, and the urgent need to prioritize the welfare of the marginalized. Ultimately, Sharma’s message is a clarion call for the leader to embody the values of truth and compassion, stressing that only through collaborative efforts can India navigate its challenges and thrive.
Prof PK Sharma”s bold article, ” Dear Prime Minister, Enough Is Enough,Please Come Out Of Thy World Of Optics Into The World Of Truth And Beauty ” is an ey opener indeed . It is not that PM will always shield himself in rehotric of his statements and style as usual.
Indian masses are still at loss to understand about the security policy in Jammu & Kashmir.
On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 46 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and the attacker.
The recent Pahelgam killings are a blot on bith the GOI and J&K state who failed to protect its citizens who were tourists who came in good faith unmindful of security lapses. .
Mr Sharma, you have rightly said, why dodge even our Parliamnet ? We have to be transparent in word and deed and that is the real beauty of truth of Satyamev Jayaeti’ which we often mention in our speeches. Indian masses are waiting to see their aspiratons fulfilled for a good standard of living, good healthcare facilities and an honest educational system. Politicians should not put on margins the intellegentia of the country and PM has the responsibility and onus to honor the alternate sane views too . This will definetely help us to be nearer to the goal of ‘Make India Of Our Dreams ‘ nearer.
From S. K B SINGH :
Great Going
Both issues raised are need of the hour. The problem of pollution of ground & surface water, soil and air of Punjab really require a long term solution and setting up of a dedicated Research Chair at PAU or even at another premier education institution would go a long way in resolving the issue.
Both industrial and agricultural development are causing this problem and this cannot to resolved in short period. A long term planning, strategy and action are required for cleaning our water, soil and air. A dedicated Chair would do a lot in this direction.
You have made a call to Daljit Dosanjh but the idea is worth taking forward.
The writeup made a compulsory reading .
Prof.Sharma ji you have called a spade a spade.