It was with a deep sense of grief and heavy heart that the ISID community received the news of Shri Chandra Shekharji's untimely passing away. His association with the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID) has been long, purposive and fruitful. He believed in public systems and independent thinking. He saw the ISID as an autonomous independent think tank in the public domain to provide empirical content to the debates on contemporary social and economic issues. He did all that was in his capacity to support and pursue the Institute's advancement on these lines.
Shri Chandra Shekharji was a practicing social scientist. What struck one deeply was his insistence on giving empirical content to his arguments instead of vaguely opposing or supporting a policy; a rarity in Indian politics. H e indeed took the unusual step to introduce policy content in discussions at the level of Parliamentary Party. The unique padyatra he undertook during the early ‘eighties was in the nature of a true participatory social scientist. During padyatra he tried to gain firsthand knowledge of the problems confronting the common people, especially those living in rural India. The padyatra experience helped strengthen his convictions. This got reflected in his speeches, the editorials in the Young Indian and his responses to social, political and economic issues facing contemporary India.
He was among the very few leaders of independent India who commanded so much of national attention irrespective of their official position. He believed in certain values and was fearless in standing by them even at the cost of being misunderstood; whether in politics or in the sphere of economy. That was because he was an honest and simple man who did not mince words and whose intolerance for nonsense is not easily moderated by urbane niceties.
Shri Chandra Shekharji was one among very few who stood firm against divisive practices and authoritarianism in politics. He had always deplored power and personality-oriented politics. For a diverse country such as India, he firmly believed that the salvation lied in consultation and conciliation and definitely not in confrontation. He had an abiding faith in the wisdom of the people and was confident that the problems confronting the contemporary society could be solved with the willing cooperation of the people. That was why leaders of all shades of political parties and religions eagerly looked towards him for his views and guidance. And that was why even in the short span at the helm of affairs he could douse the fires lit by divisive forces and almost achieved a breakthrough in finding solutions to some other vexatious problems hurting the polity. He had sacrificed power but not his belief that the nation needed an integrative ideology.
Shri Chandra Shekharji was a friend and a patron of the ISID from its very inception. He has guided the working of the Institute as Chairman of Board of Governors for more than 15 years. Under his patronage the Institute has made extensive progress. Shri Chandra Shekharji inspired one and all at the Institute with his warm, helpful and friendly approach. Many at the ISID have numerous personal remembrances of him. In his death, the ISID community has lost a father figure and an ardent supporter. His place in the Institute's history will remain indelible.
We join Shri Chandra Shekharji's family and the nation and indeed the world in paying homage to the departed Statesman.
May his soul rest in peace!
