A single-splendoured thing: Self-belief

Self-belief is such a precious thing. When Santosh Halpati set out to contest in the panchayat elections for the post of sarpanch in his village, Chharwala, in Gujarat's Vapi district, he knew that he would have a tough time convincing people to vote for him. On Tuesday night, results revealed that he had received one vote - from himself. Halpati was understandably upset, not so much because he couldn't put up a fight, but because no member of his 12-person family, his wife included, voted for him. He can take solace in the fact that unlike many others in politics, no nepotism or blind loyalty was at play in this election - at least for his candidacy.

Self-belief is not given enough credence in our society, where beating one's own drum is mistaken for intrepidity. The former is a crude form of trying to convince others of one's virtues, while the latter is hoping that one's virtues will convince others that one is a good choice. Bragging was something, presumably, Halpati was useless at. But cut up as he may be about being treated as daal even as he was convinced of his murgi-ness by his own household, we salute the gentleman for believing in himself. Far too many people require external validation these days to feel having worth. If it helps in hindsight, he has our vote. Jai Sri Santosh! Halpati for prime minister!