Decency Personified

He perhaps knew of his own constraints, compulsions, and limitations, and never resorted to what is normal now - aggressive whataboutery, hate mongering or even incendiary sarcasm. He remained measured, professional and honest till his last breath. Importantly, it wasn't just his partisan rivals or individuals from his selected staff who pushed him under the proverbial bus, but also folks from his own party or leadership who dimmed his authority whilst he was in office

- BHOPINDER SINGH

One of my life's most cherished letters was from Dr Manmohan Singh in 2019 when he replied, "I am very grateful to you for writing a strong rebuttal to the controversy around the Accidental Prime Minister".

He had just been "done in" by one of his own, but for once it wasn't an unhinged politician (who were in any case jumping ships like proverbial rats) but one presumably selected by the man-of-letters himself.

A supposed tell-tale had just come out, Accidental Prime Minister, and it showed the gentle intellectual and leader in extremely poor light.

Many moons after having hung up my own "uniform", the soldier in me still wanted to stand in defense of my former boss, not because I thought he was infallible, or did everything right, but despite all, he was still an extremely honourable, above-board, and decent man who deserved better.

He was indeed made the Prime Minister accidentally, and that perhaps ensured that he was more of a statesman-Prime Minister, and certainly less political or partisan. Was he the most thundering or even the most assertive of those who occupied the seat? Certainly not, but in the mould of Vajpayee or Nehru, he was perhaps the most self-effacing, large-hearted, and truly accomplished person that ever rose to Prime Ministership.

I was to personally witness that famous brevity, clarity, but deep concern beyond electoral considerations when I was literally given a cryptic three-point brief by him before I took over the responsibility of Administrator and Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as it was reeling from the after-effects of the terrible tsunami.