Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday showered praise on late P V Narasimha Rao hailing him as truly a sanyasi (ascetic) in politics and a modernizer who was steeped in tradition and ethos.
The eulogy for the late prime minister, who made Singh his Finance Minister in the early 1990s, came at a function organised by Rao's brother.
"I will always cherish the unique opportunity I had to work with him. He was a friend, philosopher and guide in many ways. As I saw him from close quarters, he was truly a sanyasi in politics," Dr Singh said.
The prime minister's remarks come ten days after Congress parliamentarian from Amethi Rahul Gandhi created a stir by his statement that had anyone of Gandhi family been active in politics, the Babri Masjid would not have fallen. Rao was prime minister during the fateful period when the Masjid was demolished in 1992.
Dr Singh said Rao was a moderniser who was steeped in country's tradition and ethos.
"He was a rare scholar, statesman who gave a new sense of direction not only to our economic policy but also foreign policy," he said.
Rao's command over several languages was not just a linguistic capacity but made him a pan-Indian personality equally at ease in Karimnagar, Pune, Banaras and Delhi, he said.
Inaugurating the conference on 'Human Values, Integration and Peace,' the prime minister said he believed that the cause of peace and integration was best served by dialogue.
"Power in a civilised world does not flow from the barrel of gun, it flows from our ability to talk and hear. Such are the human values we must celebrate," he said.
Dr Singh also gave lifetime achievement awards to Congress leader Karan Singh, former Election Commissioner G V G Krishna Murthy and Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande.
Observing that Gandhiji gave the people a liberal framework to view the complexities of social and political existence, Dr Singh said, "Of all the great men of the 19th and 20th century, with those names we associate an 'ism,' Gandhiji is among the few who continue to remain relevant for all the humanity in troubled 21st century."
Gandhiji's greatest legacy for mankind was his commitment to the resolution of conflict through dialogue, he said.
Noting that information revolution and the communications explosion have made the planet a global village, the prime minister said, "Yet, this village is not yet a community of good neighbours."
"In these hurried times, it is necessary and helpful to sometimes step aside and reflect on the purpose of life and human endeavour," he emphasised
