Ek Hota Tiger

I know it's cliche to use this kind of title to describe the man this post is about, but honestly I could not come up with anything else. And I don't feel the need to come up with anything else, as this title truly describes the man who passed away today - Shiv Sena Commander-in-Chief Shri Balasaheb Thackeray.

For starters, I must admit that I don't know much about this man. By this I mean that I have not followed his political career as closely as I have followed Sachin's cricketing career. Having said so, I am writing this to portray my respect for the command of this man. I don't see anyone from political or social-economical background who exhibits the kind of command this man did. Probably, Adolf Hitler and Netaji Subhashchandra Bose were people who had similar kind of command. A friend updated his FB status saying "Love and Respect come out of love. Command comes from fear.". And as there are exceptions to everything, this man got his command from his people out of love! Such was the caliber of this man; he was truly exceptional!

You hardly find such multidimensional personalities anymore. A witty artist, a thought-provoking writer and editor, an inspirational orator and an audacious leader. Man with a great sense of humour. I am sure to have missed some facets of his personality but the point is clear - there were very few like him and there will be very few. 

His influence on state politics was so magnanimous that it almost felt like he was running a parallel government. So many people from different walks of life depended on him to bail them out of difficulties. He was like 'The Godfather' for so many people. His speech rejuvenated the audience, so much so that they were willing to do anything he asked without question. Much like the Pied Piper, he controlled the minds of his audience. We people, very often, look out for someone to follow and when that person is like this man, you can't ask for anybody else, can you?

Some of his perspectives don't go down too well with me. And it's not that you can't have difference of opinion with your leader. But what I shall miss is the impact of this maharashtrian personality on state and Indian politics. Being a maharashtrian, it feels great to know some people from my community standing out from the crowd. Shivaji Maharaj, Lokmanya Tilak, Veer Savarkar, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar and a few more such individuals give me the feeling of pride. And Balasaheb Thackeray is among the top members of this list.

The day Sachin retires from cricket, it will create such a void for me that I may not watch cricket anymore. Today, after this man's 'retirement' from life, I sense a vaccum left behind in me to look upto any state or national politician. The current crop of top level politicians and bureaucrats lack the general vision which he had about running this country. The vision of managing this country just as Shivaji Maharaj ruled Maharashtra in his time. And I am afraid that vision will never see the light of the day ever, coz we have lost the visionary with that lifetime objective. Balasaheb Thackeray, we have certainly lost you but your personality shall remain among us. You preached, "Every man for his motherland, every man for his community!" and we hope someone turns up to do just that. May your soul rest in peace and inspire future generations. 

All hail the 'Hindu Hriday Samraat'. All hail the original Shiv Sainik - Shri Balasaheb Thackeray!