The 15th LokSabha elections were viewed as a make or break case for India's global aspiration by political pundits around the globe. Primarily, such call for a perform or perish situation was attributed to the policy paralysis at the center level. But, it was also due to desperation for a strong leader who could shoulder the intricate reforms. Mostly heralded as second and third generation reforms, these are the need of the hour for the political, economic and social progress of the country. Bills like women reservation bill, reforms like introducing economic basis of reservation, uniform civil code and making manufacturing as our engine of the economy were viewed as real challenges which needed a big heart.
Democracy has a self-correcting mechanism. People know what is best for them and deliver a decisive mandate when it is needed most. India needed someone with a big heart. Vox populi chose the 56-inch chest for shouldering these complex reforms. Democracy has a tendency to fall for outward perceptions. Nobody knew about the size of his heart so people assumed that bigger chest would mean a bigger heart. Mr. Modi made inroads in national politics and people's decisive mandate firmly placed him on the seat of prime minister of world largest, vibrant and chaotic democracy. The rightist brigade went berserk. His cabinet colleague went on to declare him as 'Hindu Hridya Samrat'. He was heralded as the first Hindu leader in 800 years of Indian history. Some started finding his reference in Nostredemes cryptic all-meaning-possible useless book. The paeans of his victory still continue as ministers and party worker try hard to come in his good books. The recent entrant was his cabinet colleague who termed 'Modi as god gift to India'.
This prompted me to assess the Modi leadership vis-a-vis previous gods i.e. former prime ministers of the country. Let's begin in chronological order.
Jawahar Lal Nehru was the greatest of all the prime minister as he steered the country in most difficult times. He reclaimed India's respect and place in the World order. He remains the senior most guardian of the nation after the godfather of nation Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi Ji took the title of Rashtra Pita so Nehru was rightly installed as Chachaji of the nation. Nehru's effort on institution building, procedure formulation, democracy and image makeover of the country is incomparable to any prime minister till date.
Indira Gandhi did her bit to the nation by converting East Pakistan into Bangladesh. Had 1971 war not happened, one could imagine the kind of double whammy India would have been bearing from two fronts. She also showed courage to carry out operations like 'Smiling Buddha'. We became a nuclear power of the world. Later she dealt with Khalistan demand with firm hands and brought peace in the region. She could be discredited for dark spots of emergency in her history of government.
Rajiv Gandhi with all his failings like the kitchen cabinet, Shah Bano case or Ram mandir issue, did one of the greatest task for India's digital revolution. He brought Sam Pitroda back to his motherland. Sam Pitroda in turn, brought Telecom revolution in the country. The proliferation of mobiles, computer and rise of services industry specifically Information Technology could be considered his contribution to the national progress.
Narasimha Rao also had a great challenge to manage the possible consequences of the fall of USSR and economic crisis in the country. In those turbulent times, he spearheaded the transition of the economy from mixed model to open and liberal principles. He took cautious steps in making new friends in foreign policy like starting 'Look East' kind of policy.
After Rao, India needed some one who could take India forward with style and confidence. Then came, Atal Bihari. He could be called people's prime minister. A first non-congressman to complete the full term and leader of big coalition dominated by rightist thought. He showed to the congress and the world that rightist thought of India can ably lead the nation and it is not a threat to our secular credentials. He conducted nuclear test which propelled Indian profile on world politics. The World took note of us, seriously. His curtailed the Kargil adventure of Pakistan. Respect.
Next came Manmohan Singh. A renowned economist and able administrator but unfortunately not a great politician. The country entered into 9% growth territory. He brought reforms like RTI, RTE and Right to food security. We graduated from welfare politics to the right based politics. India progressed visibly under him from 2004 to 2014. Though his second regime was marred with corruption incidents and he was poor on marketing himself.
In 2014, India was Modi-fied. People gave him an absolute majority to carry out all the second and third generation reforms which were pending for last 10 years. The jobless growth needed to turn into job oriented developmental inclusive growth. He had a mammoth task at his hand. nearly 24 months have passed. But we are yet to witness any of those most-awaited second or third generation reforms. Modi has shown intent and commitment to his words. He speaks well. He speaks extempore. It is really a big deal. He has great vision but is that translating into any sort of action on the ground?
Visibly nothing much has changed from social, political angle in the country. Unlike other prime ministers, Modi is yet to prove himself. He has nothing to showcase which he could term larger than life reform. Though he has time left and we should not be premeditated in our judgment but India's asking run rate is increasing exponentially. Every month 8 lakh new graduates or job seekers are entering in the job market. Therefore, the onus lies on the government to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
Modi needs to show to people that he not only possess a large chest but also a big heart. He has certain measures which would be fruitful in the long term but people are getting impatient. And even he has not taken the full stride. Therefore, any of his minister should think twice before terming his god. No one becomes god or god gift while alive. This is especially true for politicians whom media image is well guarded and managed when they are in power. Only when he retires or quit politics, people should give him angelic status like god's gift. No one can build reputation on what he is going to do. Reputation has to be claimed. and It is claimed through one's work. So Modi uncle, please get your act right so that we can proudly put you in the league of your great predecessor. You have shown the commitment and intent but sadly that is not enough.
Democracy has a self-correcting mechanism. People know what is best for them and deliver a decisive mandate when it is needed most. India needed someone with a big heart. Vox populi chose the 56-inch chest for shouldering these complex reforms. Democracy has a tendency to fall for outward perceptions. Nobody knew about the size of his heart so people assumed that bigger chest would mean a bigger heart. Mr. Modi made inroads in national politics and people's decisive mandate firmly placed him on the seat of prime minister of world largest, vibrant and chaotic democracy. The rightist brigade went berserk. His cabinet colleague went on to declare him as 'Hindu Hridya Samrat'. He was heralded as the first Hindu leader in 800 years of Indian history. Some started finding his reference in Nostredemes cryptic all-meaning-possible useless book. The paeans of his victory still continue as ministers and party worker try hard to come in his good books. The recent entrant was his cabinet colleague who termed 'Modi as god gift to India'.
This prompted me to assess the Modi leadership vis-a-vis previous gods i.e. former prime ministers of the country. Let's begin in chronological order.
Jawahar Lal Nehru was the greatest of all the prime minister as he steered the country in most difficult times. He reclaimed India's respect and place in the World order. He remains the senior most guardian of the nation after the godfather of nation Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi Ji took the title of Rashtra Pita so Nehru was rightly installed as Chachaji of the nation. Nehru's effort on institution building, procedure formulation, democracy and image makeover of the country is incomparable to any prime minister till date.
Indira Gandhi did her bit to the nation by converting East Pakistan into Bangladesh. Had 1971 war not happened, one could imagine the kind of double whammy India would have been bearing from two fronts. She also showed courage to carry out operations like 'Smiling Buddha'. We became a nuclear power of the world. Later she dealt with Khalistan demand with firm hands and brought peace in the region. She could be discredited for dark spots of emergency in her history of government.
Rajiv Gandhi with all his failings like the kitchen cabinet, Shah Bano case or Ram mandir issue, did one of the greatest task for India's digital revolution. He brought Sam Pitroda back to his motherland. Sam Pitroda in turn, brought Telecom revolution in the country. The proliferation of mobiles, computer and rise of services industry specifically Information Technology could be considered his contribution to the national progress.
Narasimha Rao also had a great challenge to manage the possible consequences of the fall of USSR and economic crisis in the country. In those turbulent times, he spearheaded the transition of the economy from mixed model to open and liberal principles. He took cautious steps in making new friends in foreign policy like starting 'Look East' kind of policy.
After Rao, India needed some one who could take India forward with style and confidence. Then came, Atal Bihari. He could be called people's prime minister. A first non-congressman to complete the full term and leader of big coalition dominated by rightist thought. He showed to the congress and the world that rightist thought of India can ably lead the nation and it is not a threat to our secular credentials. He conducted nuclear test which propelled Indian profile on world politics. The World took note of us, seriously. His curtailed the Kargil adventure of Pakistan. Respect.
Next came Manmohan Singh. A renowned economist and able administrator but unfortunately not a great politician. The country entered into 9% growth territory. He brought reforms like RTI, RTE and Right to food security. We graduated from welfare politics to the right based politics. India progressed visibly under him from 2004 to 2014. Though his second regime was marred with corruption incidents and he was poor on marketing himself.
In 2014, India was Modi-fied. People gave him an absolute majority to carry out all the second and third generation reforms which were pending for last 10 years. The jobless growth needed to turn into job oriented developmental inclusive growth. He had a mammoth task at his hand. nearly 24 months have passed. But we are yet to witness any of those most-awaited second or third generation reforms. Modi has shown intent and commitment to his words. He speaks well. He speaks extempore. It is really a big deal. He has great vision but is that translating into any sort of action on the ground?
Visibly nothing much has changed from social, political angle in the country. Unlike other prime ministers, Modi is yet to prove himself. He has nothing to showcase which he could term larger than life reform. Though he has time left and we should not be premeditated in our judgment but India's asking run rate is increasing exponentially. Every month 8 lakh new graduates or job seekers are entering in the job market. Therefore, the onus lies on the government to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
Modi needs to show to people that he not only possess a large chest but also a big heart. He has certain measures which would be fruitful in the long term but people are getting impatient. And even he has not taken the full stride. Therefore, any of his minister should think twice before terming his god. No one becomes god or god gift while alive. This is especially true for politicians whom media image is well guarded and managed when they are in power. Only when he retires or quit politics, people should give him angelic status like god's gift. No one can build reputation on what he is going to do. Reputation has to be claimed. and It is claimed through one's work. So Modi uncle, please get your act right so that we can proudly put you in the league of your great predecessor. You have shown the commitment and intent but sadly that is not enough.
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