BOTTOMLINE: BENAZIR BHUTTO—INTELLECTUAL, CARING & EXQUISITELY FEMININE

In the ex-PM lives a woman who loves to quote

Prachi Raturi

AS she slid her trademark white dupatta from her head and put her legs up on the bed in the traditional oriental gesture of relaxation, her flame red hair cascaded down her back in response to the movement, its sibilant hiss a background to her exclamations over the beauty of the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. No excited school-girl this, we’re talking about the ex-prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, or BB, as her friends call her lovingly.

Benazir Bhutto

Ms Bhutto’s recent visit to India saw her at her eloquent best, interacting with the media, meeting up with VIPs. Ms Subha Rajan, Director, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), who was with Ms Bhutto all through her five-day stay in India, got to see the real Ms Bhutto, or “BB the woman”, as Ms Rajan explains. And BB the woman was a woman like any other, with typically feminine moods, talking incessantly of her children, frankly curious about the things she saw around her and openly worried about a friend who had a headache.

Of course, there was this initial apprehension, explains Ms Rajan. “I’d only seen her giving interviews on TV, talking, arguing. So when I was actually going to receive her, with the knowledge that I’d be with her for five days, I really didn’t know what to expect.” But all the apprehensions were washed away once she met BB. The two took an instant liking to each other, says Ms Rajan.

“We had common interests, we’d read common books. She loves literature and I love philosophy, so we discussed various things, spoke of our favourite authors and much more,” recounts Ms Rajan.

And of course, the talks and friendship grew with every passing day. Right from sharing migraine remedies, to hair care tips to talking of women empowerment, the two women discussed it all. BB, explains Ms Rajan, was especially impressed when she told her about the matriarchal Nair community of Kerala and the importance a girl child is given in the community.

BB has a weakness for sweets and literature and this, said Ms Rajan, was very often in evidence. The ex-prime minister loves to quote from her favourite authors, she loves poetry and William Wordsworth and William Shakespeare are her favourites. Ms Rajan says she was really impressed by BB’s knowledge. “She is a very intelligent woman, one who can talk powerfully on any subject simply because she is so well-read. And yes, she doesn’t suffer fools easily,” says Ms Rajan.

BB is also a doting mother, if her conversation, which was perpetually peppered with references to her, was any indication. While in Jaipur, she picked up special chairs for her sons, a lehenga for her daughter, something for her husband and knick-knacks for her friends. And then, of course, she wanted to buy her newly made friend a gift. So when Ms Rajan refused, trying to look strict, BB said, “It’s an order from an elder sister”, and the two women burst into laughter.

The bond only grew stronger when Ms Rajan nursed BB when she was not too well towards the end of her visit. As both women bid adieu to each other, their eyes were moist.

Says Ms Rajan, “The kind of busy schedule she has, I might ebb out of her memory, but I know that when she is around and I need her, she’ll be there. And years from now, when I’m old and sit near the fireplace and show my grandchildren a picture of the two of us at Ajmer Sharif, I know I’ll smile.” Behind the photograph, is a line, “To Subha, a wonderful lady, in friendship, your friend, Benazir.”