Vista continues its tradition of playing host to a range of eminent personalities. One of the key speakers this year is Mr. Arun Shourie who as we all know, wears many hats with equal ease. He’s played the role of a journalist, author, columnist, editor, politician and administrator. Widely respected for his intellectual prowess and tenacity, he has been described as a preacher, a missionary and a crusader.
These diverse analogues reflect different facets of the writer who has constantly stirred Indians towards an examination of their polity and their conduct as individuals within it. Born to a civil servant in Jalandhar, Arun Shourie has traveled a great distance from being the editor of The Indian Express to the Minister of Disinvestment in the Vajpayee Government.
Mr. Shourie has a well-earned reputation of being fearless, and he has taken on governments, politicians, corporate houses and even his own party. Winner of the Magsaysay Award for Journalism, he is author of more than 25 books and has come up with some choice phrases like “Alice in Blunderland”.
If there is anything that has characterized his career, from his days as a journalist right up to the point where he finished with his ministerial charge, it has been his personal courage and his commitment to really transforming India. He has played a crucial role in projecting media as a fourth pillar of democracy by standing up against corruption and injustice.
His speech on 2nd October will give insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie in store for India’s quest to becoming a great power.
IIMB Vista 2010-11 