Truly, a Tau

Devi Lal’s greatest political asset was the way he felt for and related to the masses — straight from his heart. It was this sincerity, which helped him cement lifelong bonds with the people of any age, sex or background, says Raman Mohan.

WAY back in 1981, Devi Lal, then out of office of the chief minister for a good two years, was presented with a shiny new grey Ambassador car by his admirers. He lost no time in putting it to good use in the only way he knew. The very next morning, he set out on a tour of the countryside. His first stop of the day was in a small, dusty hamlet near Hisar.