Humble and so simple

Most political leaders tend to be full of themselves, publicising their 'achievements' and future grand plans. They may get offended if precedence is not given to them in social and official functions; they may expect to be feted and praised, and given special treatment wherever they go. Then there are those who display none of these traits - like former PM Manmohan Singh and a few others. He was an intellectual - understated, humble and simple; he was soft spoken and self-effacing. But never boring; he was quick-witted and full of grace.

There was this neta from another political party (who has also passed on), who figured in the media almost daily, for his expertise in politicking. Invited to a grand wedding of a celebrity's son in Chennai, he and his wife sat on the last row of seats. The person assigned to welcome and seat VIP guests, aghast to see them seated so far behind, rushed to them and said, 'Please sir, please madam, come to the front row. Why're you sitting here?' The neta laughed and replied, 'You see, from where I am seated now, no one say, go back, we need these seats for important guests. Because this is the last row.' He was both humble and smart. And funny, too.

Perhaps humour comes easy when you are free of ego and expectations, and you are a humble, simple person. With no hang-ups, no one can make such persons feel humiliated, offended, insecure or less confident, because they don't seek validation from others. They know who or what they are.