Archive · 14 Dec 2025
Erosion of Dignity in Power Proximity
A long time ago, people who met important leaders or spiritual figures kept those moments private, like putting letters in family albums.
Now, many people want to show off these meetings on TV, social media, and newspapers.
This is happening not just in politics but also in other areas like religion and media.
Some leaders in the past, like Indira Gandhi, showed respect in quiet ways, without cameras.
But today, many people want to be seen with powerful figures to look important.
This can make people care more about appearances than doing good work.
The article says we should remember that true leadership is about what you do, not who you are seen with.
Historically, interactions with high-profile figures were kept private as a personal memory.
Today, there is a trend of publicizing these interactions for optics rather than substance.
Examples of humility include Indira Gandhi and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan sitting respectfully before spiritual masters.
The current culture of power proximity affects politics, bureaucracy, religion, media, and intellectual circles.
The antidote to this trend is conscious restraint and a focus on substance over optics.
- Who
- Politicians, bureaucrats, media, intellectuals, and religious figures
- What
- A cultural shift from private reverence to public performance of proximity to power
- When
- Historical context from the 1960s and 1980s to present day
- Where
- India, across politics, bureaucracy, religion, media, and intellectual circles
- Why
- The hunger to be seen with power rather than to serve meaningfully, leading to a focus on optics over substance
- Key Figures
- Indira Gandhi, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, P V Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi, Narendra Modi
- Historical Context
- 1966, 1980s, 2008
- Current Trend
- Public performance of proximity over private reverence
- Examples of Humility
- Indira Gandhi and Radhakrishnan sitting cross-legged before spiritual masters
- Contrast
- Past discretion vs. current public display
- Impact
- Perception overtakes principle, validation replaces values
- Antidote
- Conscious restraint and focus on substance
- Democracy's Demand
- Humility, restraint, and focus on outcomes