Nagaland Governor La Ganesan has heaped praise on illustrious K R Malkani for his article on C Rajagopalachari written in ‘Organiser’ years back.
“I do not remember the timing…but K R Malkani had written a rather critical piece on Rajaji calling him an ‘American Acharya’ but such was the greatness of Rajaji that he appreciated K R Malkani for his piece,” Governor La Ganesan said ‘Organiser’ here at Kohima.
He also said that Late K R Malkani used to do a lot of homework before writing a piece, and people in general and in political life used to appreciate Malkani for his well-researched and well-informed articles and editorials in the ‘Organiser’.
K R Malkani (November 19 1921 – October 27 2003) was a journalist, historian and politician associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He was a National Vice-President of the BJP from 1991 to 1994. He was a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2000 and served as Lt Governor of Puducherry from July 2002 till his death in October 2003.
He is the only person to have been chief editor of both the English magazine ‘Organiser’ and the Hindi periodical ‘Panchjanya’.
The reference to Rajaji came as there were reports that Rajaji’s great-grandson C R Kesavan, who recently joined BJP, had called up La Ganesan for his blessings.
Confirming the tele call, the Governor said, “Yes, Kesavan called me and as an elder, I blessed him and wished him well to perform in BJP”.
Answering questions, La Ganesan said, “It is for the first time in several years that the North Eastern States including Nagaland are getting so much attention for focused development from PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah”.
Trying to drive home his point, the Governor said, “The river is flowing but does not mean, water will reach your home automatically. You have to set up taps to get water…..that responsibility is yours”.
La Ganesan said – “In the same spirit it is the responsibility of the State Governments in North East India to create basic facilities and infrastructures for development and for overall improvement in qualities of life”.
C R Kesavan, great-grandson of noted freedom fighter and India’s last Governor General C Rajagopalachari, joined the BJP last week as a part of the party’s programme to expand its base in Southern India.
C R Kesavan, who was in the Congress earlier, also applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ushering in a “tectonic” transformation in India with his people-centric policies and corruption-free and inclusive governance.
The Governor also said efforts should be made to take banks to every block and every village. In this context, PM Modi should be complemented for his ingenious Jan Dhan scheme.
“This Jan Dhan scheme is more relevant for North East India and States like Nagaland,” he said.
“I am optimistic once this is taken, people will feel more integrated and benefited by various Central and State schemes”.
The Governor exuded confidence that the State will enter a new era in the next two years as people here are “educated and well cultured and have faith in the democratic process”.
“I am confident in the next two-three years we will fare better”.
The Governor said while his Government is committed for bringing lasting peace and solution to the Naga political issue, it is too early for him to comment on anything in detail.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is likely to brief him on these and other issues at the earliest.
The Government of India is sincere for a solution but has not fixed a timetable for it. The NNPG – the umbrella group of Naga seven militant groups – is also keen on inking a peace pact. But there are hurdles.
All these issues lately again came up for detailed deliberations when separate delegations of Naga underground leaders were in Delhi meeting a few important players.
Now, peace emissary A K Mishra and his esteemed colleague Mandeep Singh Tuli are in Nagaland on April 13 for further consultation with NSCN-IM and NNPG.
