A trouble shooter, an avid reader, eternal optimist, a doting grandfather—meet the man set to rescue Indian aviation

There is something magical about Lutyen’s Delhi—in its sheer dignity, beauty and magnitude. To see all that bathed in the soft afternoon light of a chilly October afternoon is quite a treat. There was scope a plenty to mull its beauty, as the DW team waited in the very heart of Lutyen’s Delhi, in a plush office in the bungalow zone to rectify an ‘irony’… Well, if one could put ‘right’ an irony... For a magazine titled Democratic World, we have had the fortune of meeting and interviewing experts from myriad sectors. However, rather ironically—we had not quite covered the world of politics—the nerve centre of any democratic system. So, this was our very first encounter with a ‘political leader’ and what a first it was to be. It was a privilege to receive a chance to speak with a stalwart; one of the busiest Cabinet ministers of recent times and a 73-year-old veteran. He assumed his responsibilities on December 18, 2011, in the midst of several storms plaguing India’s aviation sector. But he has managed to steer his ship out of one crisis after another. There is something about the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ajit Singh that assures you, all will be well. In the past the civil aviation ministry has seen a couple of turbulent years, which did drive some airlines to the brink of bankruptcy and caused heartaches for airport operators. Now, one can finally spot significant steps being taken to overhaul the sector. On October 16, 2012, the ministry announced the abolition of the rather-hefty airport development fee, charged on passengers departing from Delhi and Mumbai. The waiver should start from January 13, 2013. The resultant lower fare is expected to stimulate traffic and enhance the overall viability of the sector. In September 2012, the ministry also decided to permit foreign airlines to invest up to 49 per cent in Indian carriers, a move that should boost long-term investment and lead to a more professional and corporatised sector. In another move, the ministry directed state-owned Airports Authority of India to not levy airport development fees at the two largest airports that it operates—Chennai and Kolkata. Good news for the smaller guns. The civil aviation ministry is also in the last stages of ending the dispute over ground handling by drafting a new policy, which will prompt airlines to withdraw cases against the government. And, there are several greenfield airport projects (Navi Mumbai, Goa Mopa and Kannur) which are being fast-tracked to meet the impending airport capacity crunch. At the cockpit is the silent captain, Ajit Singh. We know little of the man in the office or his habits. Unlike media savvy politicians of our times, Singh has let his work do the talking. While remaining in the front line of the battle, he has managed to stay away from the media glare. Punctual to the core (he does get up at 5am every day come summer or winter, a habit he inculcated from his father, the former Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh), he was there to meet us dot on 3pm, as promised. If his punctuality is impressive, so is his patience. He sits through an interview with a camera flashing constantly around him. If it disturbs him, we do not get to know. It is only with a shake of his head does he finally dismiss our further request for photographs. For someone who is not “chatty”, we got a candid, ‘no-fuss’, heartfelt, to-the-point conversation sans drama which was refreshing and genuine.

FROM CORPORATE LIFE TO A POLITICAL CAREER

Ajit Singh’s life is steeped in politics. His father, Chaudhary Charan Singh, was the fifth Prime Minister of India, serving between July 28, 1979, and January 14, 1980. He was a much respected socialist leader, a friend of the farmers, who continued to lead the Lok Dal till his death in 1987, when he was succeeded as party president by his son Ajit Singh. His long association with the causes dear to farming communities in the north of India caused his memorial in New Delhi to be named Kisan Ghat. Yet, his only son was not “destined” to join politics. For the longest time, Ajit Singh chose a career path diametrically away from it all. His motivation was to see a world beyond the familiar. “I did my Bachelor’s from IIT Kharagpur. Like several other members of my peer group, I wished to see the world, receive further education. My basic motivation was to get as much varied exposure as possible. So I went for my Master’s to the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. I stayed away for 17 years. But every Indian, or in fact every individual who lives away from his country, eventually wants to come back. More so when the children start growing up, and you want to give them the same values that you received growing up. I had strong familial ties and that motivated me to return as well,” says the minister thoughtfully. He is a man of few, but meaningful words. We would learn to expect no pat answers from this man shortly into the conversation. So, did he ‘see the world’ we ask him. “The point was not to visit places but to have as many experiences as possible. I wanted to get exposed to different cultures. I wanted to see different ways of living. But I can’t claim to be well-travelled because the universe is too vast to cover, in fact, I have much left to see in India as well”, he says with a laugh. And while the son soared, his father even in those years “never put any bit of pressure”. “Not on any of us. We are six siblings. I have five sisters. Three of them are now settled in the US. My father was happy for us to follow our passions and there was an open-mindedness in the family that allowed us to explore and experiment’. Ajit Singh travelled to the United States of America in January 1964. Given that there was little common ground then between politics and private enterprise in India, the young Singh had to learn the ways of the private sector from scratch. Without realising though, he picked up some valuable tips for the political trade through his 17 year stint in the US. “Post my Master’s degree, I was in the computer software service industry. While I spent some time in a marketing role as well, I realised my real expertise was software troubleshooting. I cannot programme, but I can find out where it has gone wrong very quickly.” He laughs unabashedly when we quip that his troubleshooting experience and skills have held him in good stead in his political avatar. “I was involved in what is today known as operations systems problems. We were summoned whenever any operating system went down. It is an intrinsic part of all office operations. I started with IBM. To do the job, one had to be devoted as there were no fixed hours. You had to take responsibility and figure out how to solve the problem at hand. I did not mind at all. Those were early days for computers and to me it was all very exciting. Nowadays becoming a computer programmer, scientist, hardware personnel or a troubleshooter has become passe—there are so many of them around.” He remembers his stint with fondness. What did he find tough to deal with? In his, by now familiar ‘no-fuss’ fashion, he says, “Everything was quite new and fun—the country, the work and life in general. I was a vegetarian—a concept that the west is only now beginning to embrace—but there was always lots to eat and enjoy even in those times.” That is because like father, the son, too is a frugal eater who needed little to keep him happy. Life changed for Ajit Singh in 1986, when his father passed away after a prolonged illness induced by a stroke. “Unlike what people believe about politics being a dynasty game—my father did not wish me to join politics. I didn’t want to join politics. I never came to India with the aspiration to become a political leader. I came here in 1981 and formally joined my father’s party in 1986, after he had suffered a stroke. At that time, he was in no condition to know of the decision, as he was far too ill. I had taken a sabbatical, which gave me time to be with him. Keeping to the good-old Indian tradition, I was in the hospital the whole day and entertained visitors—most of them my father’s political colleagues such as Karpuri Thakur, Biju Patnaik, Devi Lal and Mulayam Singh. “They kept goading me to follow in my father’s footsteps. My foray into politics was an accident. Had I not been by my father’s bedside for a prolonged period, perhaps I would have never taken this decision. He never got me in. But I guess I am blessed because I live in the present and always enjoy what I do. In a similar fashion, my son, too, entered politics without ‘consulting’ me. He went on to win from a constituency which the party had not won in the past 30 years.” So much for ‘dynasty politics’. He does admit that growing up in a political family, at a time when the notion of serving the nation was so embedded in all its leaders, there were several elements that shaped him as a person. “My father, the way he was, influenced me a lot. He had to struggle to be where he was. He came from an underprivileged family. Yet, he rose to become the Prime Minister of the country. He was an exceedingly learned man. He was fond of reading. He wrote on several subjects, especially on economics. Growing up, I saw a man who kept busy always and worried about people throughout his political career—though at that time politics was not considered to be a career. I would always see his struggle against all odds. Irrespective of any culture or country, to get the downtrodden their rights, there is always a struggle. I guess I learnt this from him.”

FARMERS VS INDUSTRY; A MATTER OF AVATARS

A farmer leader, a successful corporate man, an industry leader; Ajit Singh has worn several hats in his lifetime. Which of these avatars does he feel the most affinity for? “I do not feel a particular affinity to a certain role, not in that sense. I was, of course, inspired by my father, who was truly a farmer leader. When I was here in India I would observe him at work. He was always surrounded by people who travelled miles to meet him. Perhaps because of the way he impacted their lives. I guess, at the end of the day that is where my heart lies.” Ajit Singh has an instinctive connect with his Indian roots and with the farmers’ cause. But his current role as the Union Minister of Civil Aviation is a change of responsibility and a new challenge. Does it faze him at all? “It is not only about the present role now, is it? A lot of people ask me how I did all of it—from being a computer software troubleshooter to getting into politics. Now that was an even bigger change. Yes, the present portfolio is an entirely different ballgame. But do remember that I have been an agricultural minister and began my political career as an industry minister. Doing good work is a challenge, especially in the present environment. Today, the civil aviation sector is not just about India’s elite. It is a vital sector which contributes to the economic growth of the country. It is a high profile, high-pressure job. One has to deal with all kinds of people (airline owners who happen to be very rich and influential and ordinary travellers). These are difficult times for us because the first thing that people give up during financial hardship is travelling—whether for business or pleasure. But we understand our role and the challenge. What we will focus on is connectivity. What we are trying to create here are feeder airports in the Tier-II cities across India. Make it accessible to the common man.” So, is he driven by ideas which are left of centre? “Frankly, I have never seen the division that you talk of. Civil aviation is important for every citizen. ‘Time is money’ even for a small-time businessman or entrepreneur in India’s Tier-II cities. He cannot afford to waste it. The ministry keeps in mind the concerns of every common man because that is what we are supposed to do. Does that make me left of centre or right? I can’t say.”

FATHER, SON AND GRANDSON

With the entry of Jayant Chaudhary, the party and the country are now seeing the third generation take on the mantle. Jayant Chaudhary is the General Secretary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal and a Member of Parliament representing Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Like his grandfather and father, he feels strongly for the cause of the farmers. He is one of the prime movers on the land acquisition issue and has introduced a Private Member Bill on Land Acquisition in the Lok Sabha. Ajit Singh admits that though politics seems to be “the family’s choice”, it is not a tradition which is passed on with wise words on conduct. “My son’s decision was entirely his own. He was a student at the London School of Economics and then he went into the financial services industry. When the time was right, he decided to be in politics. He didn’t ask me. When I became a politician, my father was in no state to give me advice. He had suffered a stroke and was hospitalised. And when my son took his decision, I placed my faith on him to do what is right.” “Frankly, the question of legacy never crossed my mind. I have never worried about what I will leave behind”, he says when we ask him what he would like to be remembered for. “Of course I worry about what more I could do and whether I have enough time to do all that I want to. But honestly, at the end of the day, I am satisfied with the way I am. Everyone creates his or her legacy because every life leaves a footprint. However, I work because I like to. My son too works because that is where his heart lies. A legacy is not a strong motivation to good work,” says the minister. Relaxed, seemingly at peace with himself, Ajit Singh appears to be an exception to most of his ilk. As he answers the questions, we often strain our ears to hear him speak. He greets difficult questions with a smile and with humour. And it is evident that despite all his avatars, deep down, the champion of the cause of the common man and the capable minister is equally happy (if not at his happiest best) being a doting grandfather. When his two grand daughters come to bid him farewell before an evening jaunt, the Dada breaks into the biggest smile. He introduces them with evident pride, and makes them pose for pictures. When they leave he turns and asks, “Since you talk so much about parental legacy, here’s a poser for you. You just met my two granddaughters. The elder one has to have non-vegetarian food thrice a day—breakfast, lunch and dinner. No exceptions. The younger one will not accept a single morsel of non-vegetarian food. How do you reckon that happens? What I am trying to say is that at the end of the day, parents do only that much. Each child is an individual with her own habits, personalities and wonderful quirks. That is wonderfully unpredictable about the world and that is comforting as well. I have six grandchildren. Two of them I have around me all the time, four I get to see rarely. Children have an energy that is infectious. Of the two you just met, the about the world and that is comforting as well. I have six grandchildren. Two of them I have around me all the time, four I get to see rarely. Children have an energy that is infectious. Of the two you just met, the The Minister’s Words Favourite book: I am fond of detective fiction. I have read a lot of Agatha Christie, but the new league of exciting writers from far flung places like Scandinavia, doing great work in the genre, hold my attention more. As I said, I read a lot and there is an eclectic collection on the bedside including Premchand Favourite cuisine: I am vegetarian. My palate may seem limited to some people. But I am rather fond of Mexican food. Interestingly, I had the best Mexican food in Rome. I love Italian food as well Favourite film: Now and then I see some films. I do not often have the time to watch films. But I have watched a lot more English films, simply because they take less time (laughs) I also watch a lot of debates and news on television. (You go back to work and politics when you are relaxing?) Well, these debates often have very little to do with politics nowadays (laughs) Favourite time of the day: I am a morning person. I have to walk in Lodhi Garden every morning at the crack of dawn whether it is winter or summer. It is a habit that I picked up from my father. I like to listen to the birds and feel the magical morning light. I do not think about the day. This is time when I clear my mind. It is about inner peace Your mantra: My mantra is to do what I believe to be right, without worrying about others—whether they will perceive it in a good light. If my intentions are clear to me and my conscience is clear, then I don’t worry too much about consequences Dream career: I have done many things, so I really don’t have any regrets of not doing something. I live to experience the world. I am equally at home on a charpoy as I am in a five star hotel. Nothing really phases me. Summer does not affect me and neither does winter—it is strange but I believe that I can be home anywhere and in anything I do Role model: I am sure everyone is influenced by several people at the same time. I am an avid reader. I read anything. I have read Jane Austen and I am really fond of the modern day detective fiction. I sort of subscribe to all the major magazines and newspapers that are published here. I study the economic policies of England with the same focus as I listen to a particular farmer’s problem here in India. The universe comes together to teach me RAPID FIRE ROUNDyounger one has a mind of her own, while the older is shy and reticent. But they both manage to keep me on my toes.” There is one question that we had forgotten to ask of the minister. It crossed our mind when we spotted a framed photograph of him sitting inside a cockpit–does he know how to fly a plane? At the end of the day, it would not really matter if he does not—as we see it, he is captaining his ship (or is it a plane?) for greater glory anyway.