Read About This Remarkable Person : and say Cheers!
Meet the “Poorest President” in the World – Uruguayan President José Mujica Drives a Volkswagen Beetle and Donates 90% of his Salary to Charity.
Meet the “Poorest President” in the World – Uruguayan President José Mujica Drives a Volkswagen Beetle and Donates 90% of his Salary to Charity.
By Adeola Adeyemo
While our Nigerian leaders are
being berated for refusing to declare their assets publicly and demanding astronomical pay rise to
add to the already exorbitant allowances they receive, the President
of Uruguay, José Mujica is getting world wide recognition
and respect for donating 90 percent of his earnings to charitable causes.
He has earned what most people
would call an enviable reputation as the “poorest,” or the “most generous,”
president in the world. His nickname, “el presidente mas pobre”
translates to “poorest president”.
The President said in a recent
interview that the only big item he owns is his Volkswagen Beetle car, valued
at $1,945 dollars (about Naira 308,283 or Rs 1,04,600 ) . He earns a salary of
$12,500 a month (Naira 1,981,250 or Rs 6,72,238), but only keeps $1,250 (Naira 198,125 or Rs 67,223) for
himself, donating the rest to charity.
He lives in a farmhouse which
is under his wife’s name, Lucía Topolansky, a Senator, who also donates
part of her salary.
The 77 year-old who has been
Uruguay’s president since March 1, 2010 told El Mundo, “I do fine with that amount; I have
to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less.”
It was also reported that under
his stewardship, Uruguay has become known for low levels of corruption. The
South American country ranks as the second least corrupt country in Latin
America in Transparency International’s global corruption index.
Yahoo News reported
that the President has no bank accounts, no debts, and he enjoys the
companionship of his dog, Manuela. When his term is over, the President hopes
to rest even more peacefully in his farmhouse, along with his wife and his
inseparable dog.
There is something about leading
by example. When you do, it becomes easier for other people to follow.
Can we expect something similar from any Indian Politician or even any
Indian?
There should be mass campaigns to teach Indians the folly of being greedy and becoming corrupt. But Indians are becoming more and more thick skinned. Nothing makes them think and change ! So unfortunate for this land- one of the most blessed lands on earth !
ReplyDeleteTest
ReplyDeleteDear Col.Anand and Raj,
ReplyDeleteThe President is is really remarkable person. I was sent a mail which descibes the work
of Mr. KALYANSUNDRAM. He donated his entire salary towards the welfare of others. He
worked as table cleaner to survive.
Regarding educating grownup people against corruption nothing is likely to work.As far as our netas
are concerned the actions of actor Ajay Deogan as police officer in picture Singham may be appropriate.
It is best to to inculcate in children the merits of honesty at a young age. They are likely to follow it during
their lifetime.
Regards
Brij Mohan Karir