The Modi Sarkar

Krishan Chand
BJP’s  resounding victory  in  general elections to the Lok Sabha with comfortable majority of its own( which many so called experts and poll pundits had near unanimously predicted to be impossible), and, with nearly 2/3rd with NDA (plus friends among opposition), the ‘Modi Sarkar’ is surely and securely in power. The going so far, by the public perception and palpable confidence of the NDA, is dream like. The public expectations are very high and utterances and actions of the dream leader Modi, so far, have cast a spell even upon his detractors. There are ‘doubting Thomeses’  and inveterate antagonists like Mani Shankar Aiyar, but they’re  now almost universally scorned and, are only serving to further galvanise support for’ Modi Sarkar’.
Mr Modi’s recent statements and actions starting from the extensive discussions preceding the cabinet formation, portfolio allocation, meeting with Secretaries and his directions for speeding up decision making, single window clearance, service delivery and servicing the constituencies etc  have gone down well with the people. In short the public feels they finally have a leader who is devoted to their service, patriotic to the core, has no enmity towards anybody, doesn’t need to appease anyone,and is clear and firm in resolve. If there is a poll held today his approval rating is likely to exceed 80%.
The inaugural address of the President to the Joint session of both houses clearly states the policies and objectives of the Modi govt.  It is for the first time that the people of India voted for a declared PM candidate and gave him a clear majority to head the govt. He thereby is not vulnerable to any pulls and pressures from any self-centered group or individual. Being the PM choice of the people, he has unique authority and opportunity to govern effectively. Notwithstanding his position however, he has chosen to reach out to all to seek their co-operation and offer his govt’s cooperation for ensuring development and good governance all across the country.
The issues and objectives planned to be addressed have been comprehensively covered in the presidential address and largely derive from BJP’s election manifesto and statements of Mr Modi during the election campaign. In my opinion the chief cause of our sorry state is the all pervasive corruption that has eaten into the vitals of our economy and moral fibre. The filth, low standards, poverty, crime, black money and parallel economy, high birth rate, infant mortality, overall poor national health et al are natural consequence of corruption. The next villain has been the ‘secularism’ turned on its head, with religion, which by definition should’ve stayed out of political discourse, was brought to the centre stage. It too vitiated both polity and governance and helped the juggernaut of corruption to gain momentum. The poor, backward and socially and educationally disadvantaged needed opportunities for their advancement and not the doles and sinecures which made them dependent, disaffected and antagonistic. The people belonging to the aforementioned category are very hard working, have strong will to get ahead and need facilities and opportunities to get ahead on their own merit and work, and need only to be provided these in a fair dispensation. The reservations which are divisive and entitlement based must fade away in coming years.
The Modi govt too appears set to steer clear of religion and concentrate on issues of governance with ‘ sab ka saath-sab ka vikas’ as the guiding mantra. The other areas requiring priority attention are; Law and order, infrastructure, black money, taxation, education, skill development, performance audit with ground verification, administrative, police and judicial reforms, modernisation of industry and agriculture, tourism,  upgrading defence and intelligence capability to world class standards, garbage disposal and both reduction and better targeting of subsidies.
We’re over populated and the youth dividend notwithstanding, most of our problems now and in future are due over population. We need to stabilise our population at the current level and gradually but surely try to bring it down to about a billion to afford our people a good quality of life. The NDA govt is uniquely placed to achieve this and must not let the opportunity pass.
On the external affairs front, the thrust is correctly on goodwill and good relations with all. The border dispute with China is doable. China needs Aksai Chin under its occupation for connectivity to Xinxiang and, stop to what it perceives as anti China activities of Tibetan refugees in India. The govt being free from Nehruvian burden, can, with pragmatic approach, resolve the dispute to mutual benefit with China’s core interests being accommodated with goodwill. China has no use for Arunachal  and other areas and may be persuaded to accommodate us elsewhere. China’s infrastructure capability is both world class and affordable and we must avail it for catching up with it in hardware and help it with our software in return.  Bangladesh now has a friendly govt and every effort must be made to further strengthen relations. Teesta waters, border enclaves and illegal migrants issue all need friendly resolution. As regards Pakistan we need to be friendly but allow its internal problems to run their course for self-correction by Pakistanis themselves. We need to prevail upon Sri Lanka to be fair to Tamils and not harass our fishermen and this too is doable.
As far as Art 370 and uniform civil code are concerned, they’re both desirable and doable, but, the govt needs a solid reputation of performance and goodwill before touching them. Healthy debate on the issues ought to however be encouraged and may even be used to advantage in elections to state assemblies. As for Ram Mandir, the govt ought not to touch it and let the court and religious people resolve the issue.
In conclusion it can be stated that the country’s mood is upbeat and optimistic after a long spell of gloom and cynicism, and, no govt in my memory began its innings with such euphoria and hope from any PM for leading the country to development, unity and strength. The ‘Modi Sarkar’ appears both resolved and capable to lead India to its rightful place in the world. The whole nation wishes it well and stands solidly behind it in support and hope!
(The author is former Lt Col)

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