(Left to Right) Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, India’s President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the annual Republic Day Parade on January 26 in New Delhi (Pic: The Press Information Bureau of India)
On India’s 63rd Republic Day today, a few uncalled for observations.
As I see the picture above I am paralyzed by an utterly frivolous urge. Let India and Thailand exchange prime ministers, Manmohan Singh for Yingluck Shinawatra, even if it is for a short while. I hardly need to tell you why but I will.
The 45-year-old Shinawatra fits the Indian demographic so much better when you consider that there are 550 million Indians under the age 25. At 79, Dr. Singh is several generations removed from the aspirations of nearly half of the country’s population.
It might also help to have a president whose handshake is not limp. See the picture below showing Shinawatra’s hand on the left and Patil’s on the right. It almost feels as if Patil is palming off a blob of play doh to Shinawatra. Incidentally, Dr. Singh has a similar handshake.
While I am on the subject, India’s Defence Minister A K Antony is in dire need of sartorial rescue by the US Navy Seal team 6. If you don’t believe me see Antony’s picture below.
India’s Defence Minister A K Antony
A lot of Indian politicians labor under the impression that they look handsome in that Himachali headgear of the kind Antony is wearing. Most of them look like clowns that circuses superannuated.
And finally, I think Dr. Singh can do with some animation in his public engagements. If you don’t believe me, see the picture below.
Prime Minister Singh
