When Manmohan Singh was taking oath for his second term in office as the Prime Minister of India, his younger sisters from Kolkata were in Delhi to celebrate the day. The Day After magazine caught up with his daughter-in-law Kuki Sahni in the city
An obvious question, but cannot help asking, how does it feel to see your father-in-law as the Prime Minister again? I feel very happy and proud especially since this is the second time that he has taken the oath. It is the same feeling that anyone would have when someone in his or her family achieves something. Yes though this time the feeling is doubly better. It definitely is a huge occasion for the family and so both his sisters have gone to Delhi to witness their brother taking the oath.
Had confident were you on the UPA’s victory? Did it match your expectations? I was always very confident and optimistic about the result, but we had not expected that it would be a ‘clean sweep’. The performance of the Congress party has been better than the last time and it is clearly the people’s decision.
What are the key issues you would like our PM to focus on? I think Manmohan Singhji has always made it very clear that currently he would like to focus on getting economic stability and development for India, which I also think is currently the need for our country.
And what issues do you have in mind that our PM should focus on in context to West Bengal? For Bengal, it has to be issues like infrastructure, roads in particular and to boost the industries in Bengal, which is very necessary right now.
Speculations have it that Rahul Gandhi will take over as the PM after 3 years of the government’s tenure - your reactions. I would like to comment on baseless rumors. As of now, we all know that Rahul has in fact chosen not to be a part of the cabinet, so I don’t think I need to comment on this.
As a person, do you notice any changes in him since he became the PM? None at all! He is still the same simple and a soft-spoken person.
Could you share with The Day After some of your fondest memories spent with Manmohan Singhji? I have known him since I was kid and I remember him sitting down with all the kids of the family and asking us about our studies. And he would always tell me that when I grow up I should be a professor. Though, I did not become a professor, but that is what I remember of him. He always encouraged everyone in the family to study hard.
Lastly, Mamata Banerjee back in action. What are your expectations from her? Mamata Banerjee took a very wise step of joining hands with the Congress and it has definitely benefited her. Now all we expect from her is that she should bring about development in the state. Also, she should wipe out the bandh culture, many people and industries suffer because of these bandhs in the city.
