-Dilip Chaware-
Mumbai : Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik received a unique birthday gift in Mumbai on April 25 when two former Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and present CM Devendra Fadnavis showered accolades on him as an exceptional achiever.
A Maharashtra MLA for three terms in a row and a Lok Sabha MP for five consecutive terms, Shri Naik was a Union Minister for seven years. His five-year stint as Petroleum Minister remains unparalleled in the parliamentary history since he is the only Petroleum Minister to have completed a five-year term. Seeing his daily routine, it is hard to believe that Shri Naik has completed 82 years on April 14. His day begins at 5 am and ends around 11 pm, without a break. The stereotype image of a Governor, who lives in an ivory tower and whiles away his time in luxury, has been changed by Shri Naik completely. The Lucknow Raj Bhavan doors are open for the general public ever since he took over the gubernatorial reins. “In my first year and a half, I must have met more than 7,000 visitors and attended over 500 different events,” he said while talking to Organiser.
The book is not Naik’s autobiography but is a valuable source of information. For example, the preparations made by Naik and his team for holding the maiden plenary session for the formation of the BJP in 1980 is too exciting to miss. The book throws light on many facets of this outstanding personality. Naik’s childhood, struggles as a young newcomer to Mumbai, the role played by the RSS in shaping his personality, his reluctant entry into the electoral arena, successive wins and two defeats, the decision to retire from electoral politics but the resolve to remain serving the public provide glimpses of numerous developments, some of them unknown till now. The introduction has been written by noted thinker and BJP ideologue Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.
Former CMs Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde and Shri Manohar Joshi heaped praise on Shri Naik, highlighting his RSS connection. They said Shri Naik has lived his life as a true RSS swayamsevak, never left the path of honesty and integrity, has no enemies and is eager to help every needy person, not allowing political considerations in the way.
Shri Naik is known for moving a resolution in Lok Sabha in early 1990’s ensuring the the National Song and National Antehem are recited at the beginning and conclusion of each parliamentary session. The practice has been picked up by various State Legislatures too. His move to renaming Mumbai from Bombay opened the floodgates of renaming many cities. The book is a manual for every politician and public figure. Living an unblemished life throughout a 60-year career is really a
great challenge. n
