10 Leaders whom I admire the most

There are several leaders who have deeply influenced me. Some of them had an impact on me when I was a student; others have shaped my thinking during my nearly five-decade long political career. Therefore, it is by no means an easy job to pick 10 names from this long list.

In my early years, as a student, then as a journalist and later as a young politician, one person whose teachings greatly motivated me was Swami Vivekananda. There is something eternal about his teachings which are deeply rooted in the civilisational and cultural consciousness of this nation. At the same time, they inspire you to look ahead and move forward.

Mahatma Gandhi, of course, has been an enduring influence and a source of immense inspiration. His contribution to the shaping of modern India as well as the Indian is incalculable.

Shahid Bhagat Singh fired the imagination of my generation. I was personally inspired by his revolutionary zeal against India's colonial rulers. Similarly, Swatantraya Veer Savarkar's patriotism and fiery nationalist fervour continues to provide me with strength in the face of adversity.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his rebellion against the British greatly moved me in my student days. Even today, he continues to inspire me.

In the post-Independence era, two leaders I came to admire were Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. India, as we know it today, is a result of Sardar Patel's grit and determination. Pandit Nehru was a great democrat and it is his unflinching commitment to democracy that has strengthened India's democratic tradition.

Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee's patriotism and his martyrdom in the cause of united India has left an indelible mark on my mind. In those days, one needed a permit to enter Jammu & Kashmir although it was an integral part of India. Dr Mookerjee launched a powerful agitation against that system and entered Kashmir without a permit. I accompanied him till the moment of his arrest. As he was being led away, Dr Mookerjee had turned around and said, "Go back and tell the people of India that I have entered Kashmir without a permit, albeit as a prisoner". Those words still ring in my ears.

Two other leaders who have greatly influenced me are Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. Churchill led his nation to victory in the face of adversity. His determination was truly amazing. Martin Luther King Jr I admire because of his civil rights movements. He put Gandhi's teachings into practice with great effect and showed the world that all people are truly equal, irrespective of their race, colour, gender and faith.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee is, of course, the prime minister of India.

Tell us what do you think of this list?