Ghulam Nabi Azad hints at ‘retirement’ from politics, says civil society has large role to play

Categories: Politicians

                         Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that he had serious reservations about the ability of political parties to bring about real transformation and civil society has an important role to play in difficult times. He also said that he often has a longing to retire from politics and be more actively involved in social service.While addressing members of civil society at an event, Azad said, “Humko ek samaj mein badlaav lana hai. Kabhi kabhi mein sochta hoon, aur koi badi baat nahi ki, achanak aap samjey ki hum retire ho gaye aur samaj seva mein lag gaye.”(We have to bring about a change in the society. Sometimes I think, and it is not a big deal that suddenly you come to know that I have retired and started doing social service).

                         The event was organized by the president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association and senior advocate M K Bhardwaj. People from all walks of life and political affiliations, including Chamber of Commerce President Arun Gupta, former Jammu University vice-chancellors R R Sharma and R D Sharma, former Advocate General Aslam Goni, among others were present at the function organised to honour Azad for getting the Padma Bhushan.

                          At the beginning of his 35-minute address, Azad made it clear that he would not deliver a political speech. “Politics in India has become so ugly that sometimes one has to doubt whether we are human,” he said.Saying that the average human lifespan is now 80-85 years, he said it makes sense for individuals to use the 20-25-year-long post-retirement period to contribute to nation-building. He added, “Hum sab agar ek shehar ko, ek province ko theek karengey, toh pura Hindustan theek hoga” (If we all reform a city or a province, the entire country will get reformed).