India's most influential people

The Indian Express whose loyal readers the Eicher household is (partly in silent protest at the sleaze the Times of India has descended into) put out an unexpected supplement yesterday: the IE 100 - the most powerful Indians in 2009.

It made interesting reading. The top 10 were all politicians with Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani coming in at 11 and 12. From then on mostly politicians and bureacrats till 22 (Shah Rukh Khan) and 23 (MS Dhoni). Then the spread opens up more.

The first woman is at No. 2 - Sonia Gandhi who the papers thinks is well entrenched in power. Our dear prime minister is at No. 3. Leader of opposition (and current leader in internet ads - the 84 year old is trying to reach out to youth) is Mr. L.K. Advani.

The big surprise for me at least is the Indian Express choice of who they believe is the most powerful person in India today: Rahul Gandhi!

It seems like just yesterday the lad was being "ragged" at Delhi University. My school friends knew him at a distance (1 degree of separation) since they were 2 years his senior. Then Rahul dissappeared abroad. When he finally showed up on the Indian political stage, most treated him as a joke. But this young man (38 at last counting - less than half Mr. Advani's age) has played his cards well - and seems determined to move forward slowly and surely. There may be those who grumble at 'extra constituional influence' (esp. for his mother), but the man is backed by his party (perhaps foolishly, but clearly they are) and so far he seems to have kept his head on his shoulders - while backing up the Prime Minister on key decisions like the US-India Nuclear deal.

But lets think of something a lot older than the current crop of young - and not-so-young leaders (mainly the latter) that are going to be calling the shots in the next few years.

On the last Sunday of the month, our group of fellowships organises a public talk called the "Great Life Series." The idea is to look at how the Bible can throw light on life - in all its varied spheres. We have explored the environment, arts and creativity, whether we can love our country and culture, the mystery of the incarnation, caring for people with HIV, alternative healings... you get the picture.

Yesterdays exploration was of what it means to be a Citizen of our country - and what how the Bible can help us in this quest to be good citizens.

The talk was great. Really gripping. The 2 hours just flew by. Here are just 3 thoughts that came out of what bro. Stanley Nelson shared.

1) We have had an amazing Prime Minister of India - 2500 odd years ago. When portions of our country were ruled by the Medes and the Persians - King Cyrus appointed a very wise and capable follower of the God who created the heavens and the earth - a certain Daniel, to be his Prime Minister. Daniel thus belongs (at least in part) to India. His acumen meant that even the conquering Persians decided to keep this amazing administrator who had previously served 3 generations of Babylonian (read Iraqi) emporers. Surely it is possible that today - with all the blessings of democracy (however creaky it might be) that we will have men and women who really love God who are making a difference in our country? I looked with anticipation through the Indian Express 100 list - but did not find anyone that I felt fit this to a tee... But we definitely have people who can move forward to leadership without getting stained on the way as so many have. If Daniel could do it then - serving a blood-thirsty king - surely it can be done now?

2) The Bible tells us to submit to all authorities. All. This is not just submission when they are around, but also in our attitudes towards them. How quickly I slip into cynicism and disgust. How soon I slip in the knife of the cynic - when I have never even voted once! What a shame for me to be making any comments when I have never placed the value of my own franchise into action. Stanley helped us see that we sin when we mock and destroy a persons character through our attitudes and comments. Rather, God wants us to pray and support our leaders. Even if they are from parties that we may not particularly like. I may be convinced that Mr. Modi could have done much more to control the riots in Gujarat, I may even feel he was instrumental in seeing them happen - but does that give me license to speak ill about him? To denigrate him? Should I not be talking to God about this man? Praying specifically for him and the role that he plays in leading one of our most amazing states of India?

3) Stanley put up a slide which had pictures of Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, SC Bose, Dr. Ambedkar, Swami Vivekananda and Mohammad Jinnah. He pointed out that all had been involved in various ways in the freedom struggle against the British - but that each one had a radically different vision of how the new India should be. He then put up shots of our current leaders - most of whom were in the top 10 of the Indian Express list: Dr. Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati, L.K. Advani, Prakash Karat etc. The question is the same. Each of these has a different vision of how our country should be. When we vote, we subscribe to that vision - we further it and develop it. How important it is to have people of vision leading our country - and how vital for this generation to take up the mantle.

We were challenged by the life of William Wilberforce - who not only helped bring about the end of the slave trade in the British Empire - when slave-trading was a hugely lucrative (and corrupting influence in parliament) but also was involved in bringing reforms to the East India Company, addressing issues of vice, founding the church mission society and even helping establish the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Will this generation see someone like this speak into the lives of our billion fellow Indians? The time is ripe for a change. Would that a humble follower of God will take up the challenge and be faithful in small things - while dreaming big dreams.

Perhaps India's most influential people are still unknown. May they not be any more...