Distinguished diplomat and seasoned politician Mani Shankar Aiyar offered insightful commentary on the contrast between local and national political dynamics, asserting that at the grassroots, a candidate’s persona holds greater significance than their party affiliation. In contrast, he remarked, national contests often become personality-driven mandates, where voters cast their ballots based on public figures rather than ideologies.
Addressing an enthusiastic audience during a session titled “Decades of Diplomacy, Democracy and Political Developments” at the 9th Mysuru Literature Festival, Aiyar spoke with trademark wit and candour about India’s democratic evolution and his own experiences across diplomacy and politics.
He shared a personal anecdote about Mysuru’s emotional importance in his life, revealing it was the city where he first sought Rajiv Gandhi’s approval to leave the Indian Foreign Service and join active politics. “A predictable, smooth life has no place in politics,” he noted. “But if you’re ready to welcome risk, unpredictability, and transformation, then it’s a journey worth taking,” he added.
In another highlight, writer and historian Hindol Sengupta unveiled his latest book “Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Teachings of Srila Prabhupada.” Sengupta emphasized that despite the sweeping technological revolution since Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the West, his teachings still resonate across faiths and cultures, connecting with the core human spirit