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Chandrashekhar
I came to know Krishan Kantji quite a long while back.
I met him for the first time about four decades back, and the two of us have been together through thick and thin ever since. We were together in Parliament, and subsequently in the Janata Party during those tumultuous days of the Jayaprakash Narain movement.
He was a close friend of mine, who went on to become like a family member.
Whatever he did, was with conviction and dedication. He made a name for himself because of his humble nature, and a low-key single-mindedness. Unfortunately, however, he did not get his due.
I felt sad about it, because here was a person who was made to believe that he was not cut out for the great things in life - an impression created for no fault of us. I think that deep down, he was greatly hurt when he was made to cut a sorry figure when the ruling National Democratic Alliance reneged on its promise to make him its Presidential candidate.
His strength of character and humility, are best reflected in the way he bore that snub.
At the time, I derived solace from the thought that he was soon to relinquish his vice-presidency and would be free to work among the people again. But then, fate intervened - I don't want to talk about all that now.
Suffice to say that my friend Krishan Kant had dreams. He believed that with the nation today facing complicated problems, everyone had to work together to arrest and rectify the deterioration that has crept into politics.
Look at the irony - just a few days ago, I told him that I would meet him for a chat, to devise a strategy to improve things in politics, as far as we were able to. At the time, I never imagined that my friend would leave us all, so abruptly and for ever.
Today, I was in Darbhanga (Bihar), where I had proceeded from Patna. At the Mahatma Gandhi Setu (bridge), I got the shocking message that he is no more. I came straight back here on getting the news.
From Delhi airport, I headed straight for Krishan Kant's residence. I met his (95-year-old) mother. Both his mother and father participated in the freedom struggle.
The old lady has always been so affectionate to me, treating me just like a son. Today, it seemed that the tears had dried up, but her grief was writ large on her sad face.
His wife and children are associated closely with me. I have now developed this feeling of loneliness, because both Krishan Kant and I shared our thoughts when the going was not good. I think we shared the same wavelength. Now, there is no one to share with.
A close friend has passed away, and I will always remember the great times I shared with him. I mourn the fact that fate short-changed him of greater things in life.
(Tara Shankar Sahay spoke to Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar)
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