|
|
Article: OBITUARY: Morarji Desai
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- April 11, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1995 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
Morarji Desai, the former Indian prime minister, was a staunch
Gandhian, driven by the burning conviction that he had a selfless
mission to accomplish.
Whatever cause the ascetic and eccentric Desai espoused during a
turbulent and controversial political career spanning five decades
- including two years as prime minister, from 1977 to 1979 (at
which time he was the world's oldest head of government) - he tried
to imbue it with spirituality and righteousness. "I am a rightist
in the sense that I believe in doing right," he said. And, the
quietly ambitious, through outwardly self-effacing Desai genuinely
believed he did little wrong.
A strong protagonist of prohibition and yoga, he caused ...