Politics, power and prices to pay with Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani, a former Union minister, discussed her political journey, the challenges faced by women in public life, and the need for younger and older generations to work together at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi. She emphasized that holding a political position is a privilege and that she had never viewed it as a way to gain financially.

Irani, who served in various portfolios under the Modi government, highlighted her contributions to education, including the National Education Policy, the National Institutional Ranking Framework, and the SWAYAM platform.

Balancing motherhood with work was a challenge Irani faced, recounting how she campaigned while her infant was only two months old, feeding the baby, putting it to sleep, working through the night, and then returning home for more campaigning. She noted that the difference between her and other working mothers was that she had a microphone, while they did not.

Irani also addressed the issue of women in politics being subjected to attacks based on their personal character rather than their political competence. She dismissed such criticisms as tactics used by those who lacked substantive contributions to politics or the country.

Irani pushed back against the tendency to label her as a woman leader, stating that a brash man could undermine her achievements and effectiveness in politics. She defended the BJP's engagement with young voters, dismissing the notion that political relevance is determined by age, and argued that India needs both the impatience of the youth and the experience of older generations.

She criticized the age-based framing of the debate, questioning why those above 29 should be considered irrelevant just because they are not 29. Irani highlighted the government's efforts to bring diverse voices into policymaking, citing the example of a task force headed by individuals who had contested elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.