By Soumitra Banerji
While going through some very interesting logic put forth by Yuval Noha Harari in his engrossing book, Nexus, I felt the urge to apply it to the ‘India Story’ of Independence…Evolving into a Democratic Republic; and leading to her First Election to the First Lower House – the Lok Sabha.
Yuval caught my attention and interest with an analogy of ‘Effective Leadership’ through ‘Story Telling’ and ‘Brand Building’…when he applied it to Stalin and his cult.
To quote a conversation from Nexus, used by Yuval, on Stalin…
“Joseph Stalin, who stood at the nexus of one of the biggest personality cults in history understood this well. When his troublesome son Vasily exploited his famous name to frighten and awe people; Stalin berated him. ‘But I am a Stalin too,’ protested Vasily. ‘No, you’re not,’ replied Stalin. ‘You’re not Stalin and I am not Stalin. Stalin is Soviet power. Stalin is what he is in the newspapers and the portraits, not you, no…not even me!”
So, it was Stalin’s Story which connected millions throughout Soviet Union to each other and to Stalin’s Story, while Stalin remained as much a part of the cult as all others in the charged up network.
Likewise, India too rode the Story Tiger till it burst out of the British Arena, with her 350 million plus following going viral with a high fever of independence.
However, what made India stand apart in its creating the India Story was that, unlike Stalin, Hitler, Abraham Lincon; India Story was a collage of narratives. This collage created such a majorly integrated Brand, which not only helped her to compile and agree upon the Constitution, which ‘We, the People of India’ gave to Ourselves…but also march ahead united and strong with the cohesive force of the ‘Story’ itself.
If I try to recreate some of the principal protagonists of the India Story, whose aura and propaganda integrated a huge diverse population together in one direction…they would be… Mahatma-Gandhi…Jawahar Lal Nehru…Sardar Patel…Subhash Chandra Bose…Dr BR Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution.
Mahatma Gandhi’s commitment to non-violence and civil disobedience became legendary. There is an anecdote about a time when Gandhi was traveling by train, and as he stepped out, the press swarmed him with questions. Instead of making a grand speech, Gandhi calmly wrote “My life is my message” on a piece of paper and handed it to the reporters. This simple yet profound gesture encapsulated his philosophy and left a lasting impression on the nation.
Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, had his own distinct approach. A story is often told about how Nehru would walk through the bustling streets of Delhi, engaging with the local vendors and listening to their concerns. During one such walk, a young boy offered Nehru a handmade toy as a gift. Instead of simply accepting it, Nehru asked the boy about his dreams and aspirations, encouraging him to pursue his education and contribute to the nation’s growth. This interaction highlighted Nehru’s deep connection with the people and his vision for an educated and empowered India.
Sardar Patel’s (1st Home Minister of independent India) inclusivity and respect for diversity were evident in his interactions with people from all walks of life. An anecdote from his later years recounts a visit to a remote village where he was greeted with a grand reception. Despite his stature, Patel insisted on sitting on the ground with the villagers, sharing a simple meal and listening to their concerns. This act of humility and genuine care for the common people endeared him to millions.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s cult following is characterised by a deep admiration for his courage, vision, and unyielding commitment to India’s freedom. His followers, often referred to as “Boseites”, regard him as a symbol of resistance and a champion of the oppressed. Bose’s ideals of self-reliance, military prowess, and unwavering patriotism continue to resonate with many Indians. His mysterious disappearance in 1945, following a reported plane crash in Taiwan, added to his mystique and cemented his status as a legendary figure. To this day, his fate remains a subject of speculation and intrigue, with many believing that he survived and continued to fight for India’s independence from the shadows.
Ambedkar’s life involves his early experiences with caste discrimination. Born into a Dalit family, he faced social ostracisation from a young age. In school, he was often made to sit separately from his upper-caste classmates and was forbidden from drinking water from the same tap. These humiliating experiences fuelled his resolve to fight against the iniquitous caste system. The Story integrated the resolve of the Dalits and lower Castes to create the much-needed affirmative space in the Indian ecosystem; as well as Constitutional protection…since he was a leading stakeholder in the drafting of the Indian Constitution.
The symbolism imbued in the Constitution also played a vital role in its acceptance. The Preamble, with its powerful invocation of “We, the people of India,” underscored the democratic ethos of the document and reinforced the idea that the Constitution was a collective endeavour. This sense of inclusiveness and participation further endeared the Constitution to the masses, making it not just a legal framework but a manifestation of their hopes and dreams.
Thus, Yuval’s relevance of a ‘Story’…an acceptable Narrative, surely galvanised India’s diverse population to take up the reins of Her way forward and unified progress, in a world in turmoil; and carve a niche for herself in a polity of sharks. So strong has the narrative been that it continues to be the stable ground for politicians of even today.
(Soumitra Banerji is an acclaimed Indian author and writer, best known for his thought-provoking novel “Liminal Tides”.)
