Written in the true spirit of nationalism From archives written on 19/11/2018

Many, who criticized Modi, started posting greetings for Modi on social media sites soon after 2014 general election. Most of them did so as a gesture of being good to whoever rules our country. Gradually Modi and BJP led NDA became more acceptable among educated youngsters and the business community. Now we have a huge crowd across India, who would say; whatever Modi does is ‘right’ and what he does not do are all ‘wrongs’. It’s like saying, where ever the sun rises is what we should call east. They even look at those who raise voice against Modi’s ruling dispensation as Congress lickspittle. Modi Bhakts are often indulged in trolling opposition on social Medias and are glorifying every words and actions of Modi. They don’t miss an opportunity to malign the image of Nehru. Someone who ruled India 50 years ago, what he did, what he should have done, how better it should have been and how different he should have been is irrelevant to some extent and an argument on that or a feedback is completely uncalled for. It’s like watching a movie released in sixties and comparing it with present day movies. Today we will find several mistakes in the contributions of former Prime Ministers to India like Nehru, Indira and Rajeev Gandhi. If i am not wrong, similar mistakes can be found in Modi led NDA government’s contribution to India, especially if one were to decide the ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ after few decades. Nehru, Indira and Rajeev Gandhi were the popular leaders of their time, who enjoyed peoples mandate and confidence as much as Modi is enjoying today. They were the best leaders of their time. Today’s India is a result of their significant contributions, which includes partition, Kashmir issue, Indo-China border issues. Schools, hospitals, railways, airports, and all other infrastructures we see around or lack of it, are all part of contribution from different leaders who ruled India. It will be a false dichotomy to say what Nehru did was ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

All of us need to understand and accept the fact that Modi is a tall leader who has no match in UPA as well as in NDA. His vision, in-depth knowledge in various subjects, punctuality, healthy life style, diplomatic skills and boldness makes him a global leader. His reform measures like Swatch Bharath, Yoga and toilets to every rural household have garnered support, appreciation and followers globally. And to some great extent BJP is making use of Modi’s popularity during elections. Modi is an acceptable leader globally. Along with this, achievements like surgical strike, electrifying entire India , improvement in ease of doing business, GDP growth are few points which would help Modi led NDA to win next general election with ease. Modi got few accolades from international communities like IMF, UNICEF, UN and from prominent leaders from around the world. While his minister are applauded by business hot wires in India. Despite a fractured opposition, Modi government has significant achievements, which makes me say that it is Modi the next PM. But the question is; isn’t there a great scope for improvement? Isn’t it wrong to sing ‘India Shining’ again?

Do we deserve better? Is a question to be answered by the Congress led UPA the ‘opposition’. One would find several flaws in certain schemes from Modi led NDA. For example ‘Beeti bachavo, beeti padao’, ‘MUDRA’, ‘skill India”, start-up India and several others schemes are just a cluster of confusion, although the government will have a big list of beneficiaries. None of these schemes succeeded in improving the standard of living, of the masses. Better standard of living, means better nutrition and clothing. Better shelter, healthcare and schooling. It can never be achieved without employment. Unemployment and under-employment is a major problem in our country. Government failed miserable, in creating new jobs, which also happens to be one of the poll promises made by Modi before 2014 general election. I am sure the government will have a big report card. In reality, there are several cases where new jobs for few are taking away the existing jobs of several. IKEA the Swedish furniture major opened its first outlet in India in Hyderabad on 9th of August this 2018. The company said that there outlet in Hyderabad will providing jobs for 900 employees, which is true. Soon we will have IKEA Stores in every metropolitan city. And in each city IKEA will employee up to 1000 people. But this will take away the existing jobs of several carpenters, who have migrated to metropolitan cities from rural India. IKEA stores have got rooms of different dimensions, which are fully furnished along with the price tag for each kind of setup. Customers can chose the kind of setup they wish to have and it will be delivered home. IKEA sells carpets, draperies, toys and what not. IKEA store along with its eatery is an ideal place for families to spend 2 to 3 hours on a weekend. And it is in metropolitan cities, where more people prefer luxuries like modular kitchen worth 4 to 10 lakhs. There are thousands of families of carpenters and shop owners whose business will have noticeable dip. Such job creation is a direct threat to livelihood of many. But it is inevitable because it is a global market. Public in Hyderabad were excited about IKEA store opening and it was like a celebration for few days. Same will be the response of urban public in any city.

Unemployment leads to several other issues like poverty, mal-nutrition, poor health care, etc. Money spent by government on primary health care and education is not impressive. Demonetization and GST were criticized by many prominent economists like Dr.Subramanian swamy, Amrthya Sen and P Chidambaram. Demonetization and GST implementation was done with lack of preparedness which resulted in business loss and inconvenience to public. Time will tell us what GST can do to Indian economy in long run. But demonetization only helped in getting rid of counterfeit currency which existed. But counterfeit currency notes of new 2000 rupee notes were in the market in less than 6 months after demonetization. It also helped NDA to drain the opposition’s liquid cash stock. But it is public who had to go through the wrath. There was no money in the market for several months, despite banks calibrating ATMs on every day with new currency notes. The money withdrawn by many did not come into the market, as it was hoarded by few. Government failed to foresee these issues. So in many ways it is not Aachen din yet, but there is a sincere effort made by the present government. Ironically, Rahul Gandhi the leader of opposition has nothing to talk about addressing these issues. Hence he will talk about inventing a machine which will produce gold from potato and about lemonade seller becoming the owner of Coca-Cola group etc. He could be more humors by talking about tea seller becoming a Prime Minister, if the story of ‘shikanji wala’ was told to motivate the audience. Rahul Gandhi as well as the entire opposition does not want to talk about real issues, because they have no suggestion for the government on these issues and no promise to pubic about how they would handle these issues, if voted to power.

India is a country where at least 65% of the population are living in villages and are dependent on agriculture. Farmers are given few ornamental schemes like bank account through JAN DAN YOGANA, Kisan credit card and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yogana. And these are schemes which BJP leaders will talk big during election campaign in the coming months. But farmers who constitute more than 65% of country’s population should have given more importance. Modi and his team will say that Digital India is meant for the upliftment of rural India. Digital India means more business for people like Ambani, increase in GDP, investment and will provide employment for few. No money was spent from government coffers on JAN DAN YOGANA, DIGITAL INDIA, and PMFBY etc. This means, government should have done more for farmers. Even the crop insurance(PMFBY) has only helped insurance companies like icici, Reliance, HDFC and IFFCO to make a profit of 15795 crores in the year 2016-17. Many who insured (PMFBY) in previous year did not consider it this year (2017-18). There should be norms to cap insurer’s profit, where the companies are free to do under-writing, risk calculation and premium fixing for crop insurance. But if the profit exceeds the set limit, then the remaining money should be paid to customer who didn’t make a claim. ‘No Claims Bonus’, won’t work as many don’t consider insuring every year. Modi led government recently made big announcement about hike in MSP (minimum support price) which is up to 50% more than the production cost for 14 crops. It turned out to be more hilarious than the ‘food security act 2013’ which was introduced by UPA, months before 2014 general election. MSP is given only on 23 crops. The cabinet committee on economics affair announced an increase in MSP for 14 crops grown in the Kharif(summer) season on 3rd July 2018. This means the next general election will be held before the crops are due for harvesting.

The main reason for agricultural losses is two. Agriculture is exposed to risks of uncertainty, mainly due to monsoon and weather condition which is an ‘out of control issue’. The second issue is controllable where; farmers are being forced to be the victims of competitive market, which is worldwide. Farmers buy seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. from ‘sellers’ market’ where the seller decides the price. But a crop which has passed all the tests from nature should be at the mercy of ‘buyers’ market’. ‘Buyers’ market’ where Mandis and middlemen will decide; how much a framer should get for his hard work? Government should bring a mechanism, where agricultural products are brought by a government body or a cooperative society and given to venders directly. Such body can have reasonable profit or commission which will provide employment to many. Or the government should bring stringent rules for Mandis. All Mandis should be registered. Profit percentage for Mandi owners should be fixed for each item and should be taxed. For accountability, all the fund transfer should be through online. Such system will help farmers to earn more as well as the consumers to get farm produces at affordable price. And it is very easy with Digital India and Aadhar number.

Again, do we deserve better? Is a question to be answered by the Congress? It is Congress party which has presence across India. There can’t be a party other than Congress which can lead the opposition in the next election and thereafter. 3rd alliance, mahaghatbanda, etc. won’t make any sense. We see Sitharam Yechuri, the national leader of a national party with one state in power, discussing strategies with DMK a regional party which is out of power and is headed by a dynast. All left parties should understand that it is Congress which can lead them in the current political scenario. Once Jothy Basu refused Prime ministership, undermining the impact it could have made in Indian politics. For left, it was s decision which many regret even today. Another such regrettable decision from left was to part ways from congress over nuclear deal. Left lost its strength ever since the split. They lost Bengal followed by Tripura. Congress which should lead the opposition against Modi is going through crises, within the party. It is leadership crisis. In fact Congress has many senior leaders like Man Mohan Singh, P.Chidabaram, Mani Shanker Iyer, Kapil sibil, Manish Tiwari and many more. But they have lost their credibility due to endless number of scams. A political leader who taught the theory of “0 loss in 2G scam” cannot appeal to people. May be it is this leadership crises which Rahul Gandhi tried to overcome by bringing more young leaders and going on foreign trips, where he requested NRI’s to come back and join Congress for nation’s development. But Congress is headed by Rahul Gandhi, who is not fit for his job. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and all other Congress leaders exhibited certain level of authority and confidence, when they spoke. One can easily notice how calm and collected Indira Gandhi was while talking to media both in India and abroad. Now such confidence and authority is evident when Modi and Amit Shah speak. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi trips on a question about his pilgrimage to Manasa Sarovar. Rahul Gandhi contradicts with leaders like Shashi Taroor, even when they make a valid statement. At times the subject or the topic will lose its significance because; it is presented by feeble-minded Rahul Gandhi. It is true that there are few senior Congress leaders who are engaged in mudslinging and hallow allegations to make news. After PM Modi took over, Congress spent two years saying reforms from Modi were their ideas and Modi just implemented it. Then they started with intolerance being unaware of the fact, it is same intolerance Congress had towards dissenting voices. It is same intolerance which made churchmen kill Galileo. It is the same intolerance which expelled Carl Marx from his home country. Then Congress led by Rahul Gandhi went with farmers issue and now struck at corruption (Rafale deal). Public gave no credence to allegations made by Rahul Gandhi on Rafale deal. Now Congress is portraying Rahul Gandhi as a Shiv Bhakth. Congress leaders should understand that mere allegations won’t help to win election. Time has changed.

Congress wanted Sonia Gandhi as prime minister in 2004. But they gave up that idea because she was not acceptable for majority of Indians. Hence they gave PM post to Man Mohan Singh, which later turnout to be a gravy train. Humiliating losses which Congress had to go through in 2014 general election and thereafter is the funfair for 10 years of misrule. Rahul Gandhi, who was a notorious failure, inherited incumbent Congress party. Congress projected Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate with perfect Indian citizenship, his mother lacked. It is high time for Congress to understand that Rahul Gandhi cannot lead their crisis ridden party and should have someone better as their leader. This of course is not acceptable to people with typical Congress mind-set.

But Rahul Gandhi can easily overcome this situation by just doing, what some corporate bosses are doing. Just hire someone able and acceptable for all parties, who want to align with Congress. Rahul Gandhi as Congress president can bring someone from within the party or from outside as Prime ministerial candidate. Someone like a civil servant, with great track record, oratory skills and knowledge. Such a change can help to get better vote share and will increase the possibilities of Congress coming back to power. Rahul Gandhi being a young leader can take credit for all the good things done by the new leader. It should be fine if Rahul Gandhi gets a chance to become PM after one more term of Congress rule. All criticism from Congress leaders should be with a suggestion to government as how something could be made better. By stating that you are also saying how things will be, if it is Congress in power.