IT IS HARD not to like Rajnath Singh. He is affable while dealing with colleagues, bureaucrats, aides and political opponents. At a time when relations between the Union government and the opposition are frayed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a colleague in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who can still extend his hand across the aisle and win concessions. So, it is hardly surprising that Modi has entrusted Rajnath with the responsibility of heading the cabinet committee on parliamentary affairs which decides the government’s legislative agenda and formulates strategy to counter the opposition in Parliament.
Always quick to acknowledge his team leader and teamwork, Rajnath heaped praise on Modi, when asked about making friends across the political spectrum. “Modi ji has good friendship with everyone and talks to everyone. There is not a single person in the opposition with whom Modi ji has not spoken to,” he told THE WEEK.
But if you ask Rajnath about his most treasured moments as defence minister, he would say those were in the company of soldiers. “The confidence and bravery of the armed forces is a matter of pride. I think their confidence levels have risen manifold,” he said. Life came full circle for Rajnath on March 24, when he celebrated Holi with soldiers in Ladakh. On June 3, 2019, he was just four days old as the new defence minister when he enjoyed hot jalebis with jawans on the icy heights of Siachen. It was his first visit to the world’s highest battlefield at around 20,000 feet. In his earlier stint as Union home minister, Rajnath used to proudly narrate how paramilitary men would welcome him whenever he went to their camps in Naxal hotbeds or on the borders with Pakistan or Bangladesh.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock