H C Katoch
After 1947, many Prime Ministers led the country with their vision and contributed for the development of the country. We don’t go into details about their failures or achievements in different spheres of activities whether economic, social, political, values and so on. The present era that is visible to us fills with excitement in every sphere of life whether it is economic, social reforms, foreign relations, legal reforms, unity of the country, it’s foreign policy and eradication of corruption at political level, accountability of individuals as well as group of individuals and containing of terrorism etc. has been a very successful.
PM Modi as a person is liked because of many traits which none in the past Prime Ministers did possess in this magnitude that cover basically the establishment of Sanatan Dharm which is misunderstood by people who are ignorant. Sanatan Dharm refers to the truth all prevailing in the Universe unfolded by Rishies and saints of the highest order and scripted in the age old literature. It is not the code of conduct that is prescribed by the religions through religious practices. Modi Ji has shown the value of rituals to the society that is followed by the people of the country who live in Sanatan Dharm. How he bowed at the threshold of Parliament to show that it is temple of our Public Service (Jan Seva). He washed the feet of Safai Karamcharis at Banaras to show who needs respect for their dignity of labour and dedicated work. Does it not resemble the duty discharged by Vishnu Avtar (Krishan) to lift the plates of served meals of the guests? His all actions are a guide to the people as how to respect and honour the divinity hidden in each individual irrespective of his social status or job profile etc.
The last and very pronounced impact of his personality is the chanting of his name not only in the country, but at international level in large gatherings where it appears as if some word of Mantar is being repeated. I have heard Lalu Prasad Yadav, Ex Chief Minister of Bihar, while commenting against Modi Ji he uttered Modi Modi twenty times as if he was chanting his name. This is spontaneous action arranged by nature which people don’t understand and Lalu Ji too could not visualize his uttering.
Modi Ji’s effigy was being burnt in Bombay by some paid workers but contrary to that the fire engulfed the hooligans and burnt their clothes. His self is beyond the perception of people who are engrossed foot to head in gross materialism. These subtle experiences cannot enter their soul that is virtually in deep slumber of ignorance. Hence Modi is a word of today’s life.
Economy in leaping mode
If we come to the material perspective of Modi Ji’s vision, the achievements are path breaking. Although this cannot be elaborated as it will make a book. The economy of the country has been continuously leaping both in structural changes as well as monetary growth since Modi ji took over the reins of the country. There has been unprecedented growth in our Foreign Direct Investment. In the midst of world epidemic of Crona virus in 2022′ FDI touched 85.3 billion Dollars. It is received from 31 countries in 61 sectors. 31 States and Union territories of the country received this gigantic flow of funds. It is not 7 big cities only, but even the towns and villages too fall in this list. Thus this reached the grass root level to boost the economic activities. This jumping trend of FDI is on the increase and unprecedented in the entire world.
As regards GDP India moved ahead of Russia, Italy, Brazil, France, and UK from No 10 to Number 5 during 9 years period i.e 2015 onwards till now. India is now going to knock down Germany to be in place at No 4. This is attributed to private consumption, services, exports and manufacturing amid easing input cost pressures.
However, some schemes of public welfare are also being narrated to show the Prime Minister’s concern to make the lower strata of the society for involvement in banking sector who had never been a part of bank dealings. In this context, Pardhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna was launched in August 2014. The object was to create Bank accounts and debit cards for 150 million families. After the launch 125.4 million accounts were opened within one year giving an enormous response.
With regard to financial reforms, Modi is the first Prime Minister to leverage technology so much for the welfare programs. Unified payments interface revolutionized the economy by facilitating digital payments even in villages. This process eliminates transactions in black money. India is the first country in the globe to adopt this system. If we enumerate the vast coverage of weaker sections of the society and economically poor people, socially downgraded groups, the schemes to benefit them are numerous. To count a few, these are Pardhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna, Pardhan Mantri Mudra Yojna , Street Vendor Atam Nirbhar Nidhi, AMRUT SACRED, Har Ghar Jal Jivan Mission, Samridh Kisan Samridh Hindustan like over 16 such yojans that cater to the above mentioned category of people. In case of communication sector, where the border areas were neglected in the past especially with China are now well connected and the process is still on to cover any left segments. The inner roads, highways, express highways are reducing the distances between the cities need no mention as every Indian knows the impact in his native state and place. This vast spread connectivity has opened the doors of facilitating economic growth. All areas that have different produce, but were unable to send to the market now have the connectivity at their doorsteps. As regards the NGO sector, it has deregistered all those NGOs that were utilizing FCRA funds detrimental to the interests of the country and sabotaging the communal harmony.
No sector is left without review of the slackness of the past and is vehemently pursued to achieve the desired results in all walks of life. Law and order is forcefully enforced leaving no chance for any relief from any corner. Militancy is controlled with an iron hand. The security forces are allowed to take stringent action against anyone working against the security and safety of the country and masses. The continued process of amending or dispensing with obsolete laws is running fast. New laws are being enacted to make every citizen feel the delivery of justice in every sphere of life. The education policy has lowered the burden of books on the shoulders of the younger generation. Their faculties are being driven for achievement of excellence in their selected field of their choice.
To conclude the era of Modiji, it will be appropriate to say that the mother earth after penance of many decades or centuries gives birth to such an enlightened incarnate soul to fulfill a big task and change from “Dark Yug” to “Yug of Light”. (Tamso ma Jyotir gamaya).
The author is Director Planning J&K Govt. Jammu (Retd.) .
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