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'He was a mixture between the present and past'

Amar Singh

Madhavrao Scindia may have been a political leader for the country, but to me he was a personal friend. In fact, he was more like an elder brother.

I met him at the beginning of my political career. I spent nearly ten years with him, discussing almost all subjects including politics during our meetings every day. At that time I can say I followed him like a shadow. On a number of occasions we took short breaks from routine and went on holidays together. I still cannot believe he is no more.

He was a lively man. He was a mixture between the present and past. He was such a brilliant administrator that none of his successors have been able to match the standards he set as railway minister.

Though he was born in a family of rulers he would mix with ordinary people. He was a seasoned politician. After meeting him one would feel that democracy has taken a firm root in the country. He was a firm believer in Indian democracy.

He had seen the life of rulers, he had seen privy purses. And yet when privy purses were abolished by the government he managed to adjust to the new role as a politician of a leading national party.

He was honest not only to himself but also to his people. He was very conscious of his image and would do his utmost to see that it remained untarnished.

The people of Gwalior loved him not only because he was their ruler but because he took good care of his people. As a railway minister he made sure the Shatabdi Express stopped at Gwalior on its way from New Delhi to Bhopal and on its return journey from Bhopal to Delhi.

When he became civil aviation minister he changed the complexion of Gwalior airport. He was the man who put Madhya Bharat on the tourism map of India. I would say he was a Vikas Purush (a man of development) in the real sense of the word.

He would keep the overall interests of the people in mind while doing things. Perhaps that is why some selfish elements were not too happy with him.

He was a good administrator and loved cricket. He went on to become president of the cricket board. He was a good husband, a good friend, a good father.

I have seen him in all facets of his life. I have seen him crying while sending off his only daughter after her wedding. I have seen him laughing at the birth of his grandchild. I have seen his resolve of steel during a crisis. He would fight for his principles. That was Madhavrao Scindia, the man I knew. I still cannot believe he is gone.

Amar Singh, general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, spoke to Onkar Singh

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