One Life Is Not Enough : Book Review

In the era of promotion and publicity, where writers and authors are struggling to keep their works on the book stands for a longer time, Kunwar Natwar Singh’s autobiography “One life is not enough” was proffered with widest possible advertisement, in every possible media. The unending criticisms and wide disapprovals from the sycophants of the dynasty rendered a great service by keeping the work alive in public memory for little longer. An unanticipated and melodramatic informal visit of the Sonia Gandhi, along with her daughter to Natwar Singh’s house days before the official release of the book created the needed brouhaha.

Undoubtedly the book has invoked mixed reactions among baiters of the oldest political party but unlike an autobiography it failed to instil inspiration in the readers. Instead of cataloguing it as an autobiography it should more aptly be called a memoir as the emphasis was on couple of issues. Though the chronology of all the important events has been maintained, the book fails to furnish the details of the historical consequence of chronicled events in his life. But it has been a bold attempt by an insider of the party to give a glimpse of the towering personalities of the Nehru- Gandhi family. Parts of the book emanate the gusts of deep and entrenched Gandhian affiliation and hence dispassionate account of most important issues like emergency or other bilateral issues is missing.  Apart from being a successful diplomat in the post independent era for nearly three decades, reader will be acquainted with the little know literary life of the author. Having served the nation in the role of Indian representative for the UN, China, Pakistan and Poland, opted for a premature retirement from the illustrious Indian Foreign Services and took a plunge into political waters under the leadership of Indira Gandhi. His subservience was duly rewarded when Indira Gandhi assigned him the task of organising two international summits in a year overlooking deserving seniors of his cadre. He was later conferred the honour of Padma Bhushan in 1984 for successfully organising two colossal International Summits- Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Non-Aligned Summit (NAM) at New Delhi. This ensured his rapid elevation in the International circles and his stint as a seasoned diplomat put him in a good stead in India’s foreign policy issues.

Being an adept diplomat with a crass of politician he often accompanied the Gandhi family in most their bilateral visits. For over twenty five years, he has been with the party through the ebbs and churnings of the party’s fortunes, hence an acknowledged authoritarian to convey about the little known darker side of the party. He served in the cabinet of Rajiv Gandhi as a minister and was privy to the worst Indo-Sri Lanka crisis. Following the harrowing assassination of the Late Mr. Gandhi, he chaperoned Sonia through her early political life and was instrumental in grooming her. Being a close aide of Mrs. Gandhi, he knew the chain of events that lead to denial of the highest echelon of power by Sonia Gandhi. His audacious and characteristic remark of “unIndian” nature of Sonia comes at a time when speculations are rife about the palace coup. Assumed to be a closest confidant of Mrs. Gandhi, the relationship turned vicious when he was vehemently necked out when Volcker report named him as one of the beneficiary in the Food-for-Oil Scam.

Matters turned worse, when he was ejected from the party without giving a chance of hearing.  Serious investigations by enforcement directorate were instituted later leaving him and his family blemished and guilty. He severely condemned the deliberate insinuations and felt vindicated for implicating his son who accompanied him on his official trip to Iraq.

Enraged debates triggered off due to the startling revelations of Natwar Singh which blew away the mask of inner conscious guise of Sonia Gandhi following 2004 election victory. Hadn’t it been for the embitterment faced by Mr. Natwar Singh, the shrouded inner corridors of the Gandhi clan would have remained veiled even now.

The preface of the book is a testimony to his literary prowess and speaks volumes of his long eventful innings. He is a voracious reader and contributed several literary & scholarly articles, book reviews to prestigious newspapers. It may not be an useful read for youth interested in deciphering India’s foreign policy during the early 60’s to 80’s, since elaborate description of historical events has been characteristically avoided. Brief snippets of several different random events were succinctly written; hence the flow is significant by its absence. As an iconic diplomat and rugged politician, he doesn’t wish to skirt the truth that politics is a bloody sport and ruthless.

 

 

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