Saturday, March 29, 2025
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, stirred debate in political and educational circles with a hard-hitting speech delivered at a conference in Nagpur on Saturday. Addressing a gathering of principals and teachers, Gadkari reflected on the nature of leadership, stressing that power breeds arrogance and respect must be earned through actions — not demanded.
“People who attain power, wealth, knowledge, or beauty often fall into the trap of arrogance,” he warned. “When individuals start believing they are the wisest, their confidence can quickly turn into oppressive dominance. But no one becomes great by imposing themselves. History proves that true greatness is recognized, not forced.”
Gadkari expressed concern over the growing self-importance among leaders. He stated, “Some think they are the smartest… they consider themselves the boss, ignoring others completely. This mindset weakens real leadership.”
He further elaborated that the true strength of any organization—whether political, social, or corporate—lies in how leaders manage human relationships. “How you treat your subordinates reflects true leadership. Respect is not something that comes from asking—it’s something you earn by your work and character,” Gadkari said.
Gadkari didn’t hold back when addressing corruption in the education sector. “I know bribes are taken even for teacher appointments. That’s disgraceful,” he remarked. With biting sarcasm, he added, “In such a corrupt system, how did we even manage to build roads?”
He used a rhetorical example to criticize bureaucratic apathy: “Just because you’ve secured a government job, doesn’t mean your responsibility ends. I ask—can you turn a donkey into a horse? If you believe reforms are impossible, why were you even hired?”
His remarks drew a sharp response from the opposition. Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut said, “Gadkari’s comments directly expose the arrogance and self-centered approach embedded within the BJP leadership. This is a veiled attack on his own party’s functioning.”
Concluding his address, Gadkari returned to the importance of education. “What you teach today will shape the India of tomorrow,” he emphasized. He urged school principals to promote teamwork and collaborate with teachers for the holistic development of students.
