Rahul Gandhi’s Visit to Patna Women’s College
On 2nd January 2010, Rahul Gandhi (M.P) visited Patna Women’s College for an interaction with the youth.
There was a large crowd all around PWC just to have a view of the young and dynamic Member of Parliament – Rahul Gandhi.
All the students were really excited that they had an opportunity to see/meet, Rahul Gandhi in their college and so were the faculty members. But for this they had to go by the security formalities. Outside the hall there were ladies from security who checked the girls and only after this the girls who were provided with the pass could get inside the hall.
Rahul Gandhi entered the hall at 10.00 AM and shook hands as well as talked to some students regarding their studies.
Shefali Roy, the Cultural Secretary welcomed him with a speech followed by a ‘Bhajan’ by girls “Sarva Jeevam Sukham”. Students were getting impatient to hear from Rahul Gandhi.
The first thing that he asked was why the States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are not growing fast, whereas, States like Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka are growing at a much faster rate? What is the difference between the two types of States?
Tanvi a students of economic honors replied that it is due to women in developed states are educated and empowered.
Rahul said that “Women are more sensitive, powerful and have a long term perspective than men. They spend the money keeping the future in mind”. He said that it is due to this reason that women in Maharashtra and Kerala are well educated and empowered their role in politics is more active in their States and so those States are growing fast.
“Stop calling me ‘Sir’ & call me by my name” he said to the students as a student Rashmi Pandey stood up to ask him a question on brain-drain and addressed him as ‘Sir’ again. He quickly said “I am a public servant. I have to work for you. My work is to serve you and I am lower to you. If you call me ‘Sir’, this relationship will be reversed. India’s biggest problem is that politicians are distancing from the people and so the gap is widening. There would be discomfort in starting but you will come over it.”
He gave the answer to her question that ‘Brain-drain’ is not always bad, because it helps to bring new ideas. He gave the example of Gandhi ji that if he would have not gone to South Africa, then how would he be able to bring up the different ideas to India. He said that the world is changing, there was a time when brain-drain was damaging, but as of now the scenario has changed. If we stop people from going out and break their dreams, it would result in our loss only, so the facilities are needed to be provided here only that there is no need to go out.
He even commented on the types of revolution. “There are two types of revolution. One is visible i.e. is French revolution and the second is silent revolution which is going on in India”. Our country is changing slowly but the biggest change in our country in the Southern states is that women are driving the society and so they are progressing very
He refused to be compared with Mahatma Gandhi. When a girl said that India needs another Gandhi. “Are you the one who could provide that leadership”? Rahul replied you cannot compare any one of us to the ‘Father of the Nation. People like him come once in 500-600 years”. He said that though people say that Gandhi’s idea are irrelevant and impractical in modern day politics but he finds that his ideas are still relevant, and Mahatma Gandhi is an inspiration.
Rahul also asked the girls their views on reservation and what he can do so that more women enter in politics. Students said that security is to be provided so that they can come into politics. A healthy environment is needed to be created for women to take part in politics on which each one agreed.
At the end of the program Rahul said that this interaction was one of the best after which the Principal gave Rahul a memento and proposed a vote of thanks. She said that his presence radiated positive energy among the students which will be helpful in their life.Well done Monika
