“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” —John Maxwell

On that note, there is no one but one leader who comes to my mind — Rahul Gandhi. You might be surprised but he’s the same person whom I earlier mistook as indecisive, work-shy and an utterly reluctant politician. But over these years, the way he’s turned up and taken politics in stride, he has only injected greater hope and self-belief in each one of us. It’s not limited to his contribution to the Congress, but his larger commitment towards national goals. Rising way above other politicians, he stands way ahead as a matchless political reformer.

2004: Rahul Gandhi enters into politics

After obtaining degrees in International Relations and Philosophy from the Universities of Rollins and Cambridge and working in London, it was least expected that Rahul would ever join politics. But to everyone’ surprise this shy guy did choose a public platform to voice his opinion. And the rest, as they say, is history. Rahul entered into politics in May 2004 when he decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the traditional family constituency of Amethi which Rajiv Gandhi had once held. At that time, this move generated great surprise amongst political commentators who considered his sister Priyanka more charismatic and likely to succeed. But his whopping victory with a margin of over 100,000 votes against BJP put an end to all the doubts that ever existed. While some treated it as “gene talent”, others called it a “political ploy”. The real truth that stealthily rose to great heights was the fact that a new leader had finally arrived.

2007: Rahul Gandhi is appointed as the General Secretary, IYC & NSUI

In September 2007, Rahul was appointed the ‘General Secretary’ in charge of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI). It was during this time that he pledged to reform youth politics. Consequently, keeping up to his promise, in November 2008, he held interviews at his 12, Tughlak Lane residence in New Delhi to handpick at least 40 people who would make up the ‘think-tank’ of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). In doing so, he succeeded in bringing a positive change to the organization that he had always wanted. Not just that, it was under his leadership that IYC and NSUI witnessed a dramatic increase in number of members from two lakhs to twenty five lakhs. Be it his individual efforts or his breakthrough vision, finally we have a leader who believes in practicing first and preaching later.

Rahul Gandhi: The Youth Icon

Ever thought about it… what’s the reason behind the immediate youth connect of Rahul Gandhi? No doubt, our fifth-generation scion of the politically powerful Nehru–Gandhi family, 42-year-old Rahul Gandhi is the strongest youth icon in this country. His efforts to bring transparency in the political system by incorporating the youth brigade in strategic posts have won him wide praise. He firmly believes that educated youth of today can surely revolutionize the standard of Indian governance. And that’s why he consistently works towards giving younger players an equal opportunity in the elections. Very well captured by Arindam Chaudhuri, “If Rahul Gandhi can successfully pave a path for young and visionary leaders with clean track records to plunge into mainstream politics; it would be the biggest contribution to the nation!”

2009: Rahul Gandhi and UP Elections

The results of 2009 General Elections proved that the legacy of the Gandhi family and its deep union with the Congress Party is not just for namesake. Other than this, the other major factor behind the win was that barring Congress, there was no other political party which had fielded so many young candidates. And without any iota of doubt, the credit of this victory of UPA goes straight to Rahul Gandhi. He proved his mettle again by almost single-handedly winning more than 20 seats in Uttar Pradesh and an overall of 204 seats in the Lok Sabha. Such incredible results in Uttar Pradesh when no one expected Congress to do so well were not because of any significant or strategic caste calculations. Rather against all the odds, it was solely because of a young visionary who reached out to the common masses and showed them a better future without fragmenting them on the basis of caste or religion. Rahul once said, “I feel we should all be detached from power. Only then we can contribute to the society better.” Envisaging the same thought, he motivated the youth to join politics and make way for its holistic reformation. After a long time, it’s indeed refreshing to see someone doing things which this nation really needs.

Rahul Gandhi on building transparency and freedom of thought

Let me quote his thought here, “Give me all the power you want – give one individual all the power you want, give him everything, he cannot solve the problems of a billion people.” In a democracy where, power centralization is the ruling reality of political system, Rahul Gandhi daringly experiments and challenges the prevalent statuesque. Despite having a political lineage, this young leader finds dynastic rule undemocratic and does not flinch away from confessing it. In a meeting with the Congress MPs, he said, “I want to empower the 720-odd MPs in Parliament. I want to give voice to the middle tier, empower the middle-level leaders. There are some parties in India which are run by one leader, two leaders, five to six leaders and 15 to 20 leaders. My priority is that I want to empower the MPs as also the 5,000-odd legislators in various states.”

As a believer of secular politics, he says, “The Congress as I see, does not belong to me or to you, but it belongs to the whole country.” Highlighting the problems of over-centralization of power in India, brazenness of corruption in the country, women’s rights and alienated youth who are “excluded from the political class,” Rahul has always initiated a step towards covering the loopholes of our current system. At crucial decisive times, he brought the issues of massacre of Muslims in Modi ruled Gujarat, killing of Christians in Kandhamal and problems faced by the Dalit community to the forefront. In case you don’t know, it was Rahul Gandhi, who appointed Sam Pitroda, the man behind telecommunication revolution, as a Cabinet Minister in the Prime Minister Office.

Rahul Gandhi: The spokesperson of the masses

In 2011, he was arrested by the UP police at Bhatta Parsaul village after he turned out in support of agitating farmers demanding more compensation for their land being acquired for a highway project. This showed his real courage to stand by his men and support their cause. Such connect with the grassroot level is something India has rarely seen in a politician. Supporting his party, he once said, “The Congress Party is now my life. The people of India are my life. And I will fight for the people of India and for this party. I will fight with everything I have.”

His unshakeable belief in democracy, oneness of thought and youth-oriented political style makes him one of the best leaders this country has ever seen. His achievements and significant contribution have not only strengthened Congress, but strategically positioned it as a party which is committed to the real cause of its people. And this positioning is all that a nation needs to engender trust in its political machinery. Under the progressive leadership of Rahul Gandhi, a better and emancipated India is surely in making.