Mr Anil Shastri needs no introduction. He is the son of India's 2nd Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shahstri.
Pic Credit - Nagpur Today
He has come up with a book called "Lal Bahadur Shastri Lessons in Leadership". I will be reviewing the book shortly on my blog. I had an opportunity to interview him and he was kind enough to provide me with insightful answers. Give it a read.
1) There are lot of books being written & published featuring the great leader. How is this book different from others?
Ans. Each book has its own quality and so is the case with the books written on Lal Bahadur Shastri. However, “Lal Bahadur Shastri: Lessons in Leadership” is the first book which is a collection of anecdotes from the life and times of the late Prime Minister. Each of the 72 anecdotes gives an idea to the reader about Shastriji’s leadership qualities, political acumen and his handling of crisis situation.
2) Who are the target audience of this book?
Ans. It can have a large target audience from a 9th Class student to an 80 year old man.
3) Is there other book on cards?
Ans. Yes. I am planning to do a collection of Shastriji’s speeches/statements on different issues and what other great leaders thought of him.
4) Do you have any plans to write a book that features unseen pics of Lal Bahadur Shastriji?
Ans. I have not yet thought about writing a book featuring unseen pictures of Lal Bahadur Shastriji but could do this some day in the near future.
5) How is the response to this book so far?
Ans. Excellent. I find this more popular amongst the younger generation. An year ago a Class 6 student came up to me saying that he had read the book in his school library and found it amazing.
6) Usually, Lal Bahadur Shastri’s books were released either in English or Hindi. What prompted you to release the book in Tamil?
Ans. I and Pavan Choudary, co-author of the book, felt that Shastriji’s greatness should be spread in as many languages as possible so that his qualities are appreciated and understood by people coming from different regions of India. I do hope that they emulate a few good things from Shastriji’s life.
7) Lal Bahadur Shastri was one of the most loved leader by all irrespective of their political alliance. What was that magic quality he had in him?
Ans. The magic quality of Lal Bahadur Shastri was his firmness, assertiveness, simplicity, integrity and commitment to the cause of the people at large.
8) Despite hailing from a political family with your father being the PM himself, why have you not forayed into politics (you may leave this question if it is a personal decision that you may not want to share)
And. No Comments.
9) Are we on the right path honouring & remembering our past leaders(apart from doing politics using their name)?
Ans. Yes, we are right when we honour and remember our past leaders. By doing so, we keep their name alive and with their name the qualities that they possessed as a leader. Of course, it is wrong to to politics using their name.
10) What message are you looking to convey through this book to the readers & is there a specific message for the youngsters as well?
Ans. The message being conveyed to the readers is about a man who despite having been born poor and loosing his father when he was only one and a half years old, rose to the highest office of India’s Prime Minister through sheer grit, determination and hard work.
Sarath, that was an interesting Interview. Perhaps this book will revive interest in the loveable President Shasthri
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