“A Politician Who Can Take A Joke Is Truly Powerful”: Vir Das Remembers Dr. Manmohan Singh
In his tribute, comedian-actor Vir Das recalled the time when he made jokes about the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on prime-time bulletins at CNBC, knowing that the Prime Minister’s office was watching and was “okay with it.”
“Dr. Manmohan Singh said that history would remember him kindly. I’m happy to see that’s the case on social media today. He had a sense of humour,” remarked the Emmy award winner.
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He recalled the time when, during his 20s, the comedian, who was just starting out, had hosted a prime-time 9 pm comedy show on a news channel that “every businessperson in the country watched.”
“He was the most powerful man in the country, and we were doing jokes about him five nights a week on a mainstream news channel, that weren’t even that great because we were utterly immature,” he said.
The comedian, who became the first Indian to host the International Emmy Awards, highlighted that the mark of a great, secure, and humble leader was the ability to take a joke. The comedian observed, “Think about how far fetched that seems today.”
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Vir Das remarked on the long-running relationship between politics and comedy. “Great leaders understand that’s part of the job, that powerful politicians and jest have always been historically intertwined for centuries, and that taking humour within grace makes them so much greater. A politician who can take a joke is truly powerful, and a politician who can make a joke about themselves is admirable and invincible,” he wrote in an X post.
While paying his respects to the architect of the Indian economy, he said, “In that respect, he stood tall above any Indian leader in my lifespan. Rest in peace sir.”
Dr. Manmohan Singh said that history would remember him kindly. I’m happy to see that’s the case on social media today. He had a sense of humour. Leaders mean different things to different people, I can only speak to my experience. Personally, I remember being in my 20s and doing… pic.twitter.com/a9X0zMhlKj
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) December 27, 2024
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Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh died of age-related medical complications on Thursday night. He was 92. India declared a seven day mourning for the departure of the visionary leader. His last rites will be conducted in full state honours.
Condolences poured in at the news of his death with global leaders paying their respect to the storied economist, recalling warm relations they shared and his great contributions.
