International Jurists Award

It was exciting to know that the Samajwadi Party leader Mr.Mulayam Singh is being honoured with the 'prestigious' 'International Jurists Award - 2012' for his "unflinching contribution to the advancement of the Bar and the Bench". It is recognised that "his support to the development of the legal fraternity is unparalleled in the world".

I felt ashamed that I had never cared to learn about this aspect of MS. My shame started vanishing when I also remembered that International Jurists Award - 2007 was bestowed on Justice K.G.Balakrishnan in recognition to "his immeasurable contribution to the system of administration of justice in India" and on Her Excellency the President of India, Ms.Pratibha D.Patil in recognition of "her contribution as guardian of Constitution". Touche!

Who is our next President?

It's now time to choose the next President of the country. Would he or she be like the present President or better or worse?

The performance of Pratibha Patel has at best been mediocre. We cannot blame her. She never promised anything better. Whoever was responsible for her selection should take the blame.

Hamid Ansari, the present Vice-President in the normal course would have been a natural choice but for his controversial handling of the Rajya Sabha debate on Lokpal (non-) Bill.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi, a former Governor of W.Bengal will be an excellent President. He is sensible, articulate, self-effacing, apolitical, well-informed, non-sectarian, ethical and zero-tolerant of violence. But are these the qualities that will ensure victory in a Presidential election? Can we afford to forget that the electors are parliamentarians and legislators?