Says India needs leaders rooted in Constitution
PANAJI
In a country where even entry-level government jobs require formal qualifications, politics remains one of the few professions with none – a contradiction that Governor Rajendra Arlekar said deserved urgent national reflection as he urged young Indians to enter public life with greater knowledge, training and civic awareness.
Speaking at a National Youth Parliament programme at Goa University on Saturday, Arlekar said such forums should go beyond symbolism and encourage participants to think seriously about what they hope to learn from democratic engagement.
The Tamil Nadu Governor of Goa origin inaugurated the event along with the Goa Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
Drawing on an anecdote frequently recounted by veteran Lal Krishna Advani, as well as a satirical poem by Hindi poet Kaka Hathrasi, Arlekar contrasted politics with nearly every other profession in the country.
“To drive a car, one needs qualifications, training and a licence. Even a peon in an office is required to have passed Class 10, and officers are expected to be graduates or postgraduates. But in politics, there is no such requirement. One can even become a minister without basic educational qualifications,” he slammed.
Arlekar further said that the contrast pointed to a broader institutional gap in how political leadership is cultivated in India.
“There is training for IAS, IPS … but what training is required to be a political leader?” he asked. “It is unfortunate that we don’t have any system to develop a political leader.”
His remarks came as he encouraged students to reflect on whether public life should demand greater preparation and civic awareness from those seeking office.
Referring to a call made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Arlekar said the country needed at least one lakh committed young people in politics who understood India’s history, geography and constitutional framework.
He said the next generation of leaders must emerge from a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural unity, historical evolution and developmental goals.
“Educated youth should treat politics as a serious responsibility rather than a platform for status. Young people entering public life should equip themselves with education, awareness and a sense of national purpose,” he said.
