“DON’T think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. The cemeteries are full of indispensable men. Have a deputy and develop a successor.”

This is what Charles de Gaulle had to say on the art of good governance and smooth transition of power from old statesmen to younger leaders. Good advice indeed from a towering leader of the twentieth century, and a great general!

After France was defeated by the Germans in 1940 and surrendered, de Gaulle infused new spirit and confidence into the French nation and led them to dignity so as to be counted among the four great powers.

According to his will and the wishes of his family, his burial was strictly a family affair. Such was his stature though that at the same time that his family was holding a private burial, a full-honours state funeral was held at the same time with then French President Georges Pompidou leading the funeral. Great leaders are made of such stuff.

Will our leaders, particularly the ones that lead major political parties, learn and spare the hapless masses the burden of their zeal to serve them? The nation will be grateful.

Ismat Anono

Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2017