A Man with a Mind of his own

New Delhi: In the first 100 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as a decisive decision maker, in stark contrast to Dr Manmohan Singh’s days.   

The Prime Minister’s control over his Cabinet Ministers is total, so much so that they do not dare to take their boss casually. He monitors every move of his ministers that none breaks the moral code given by the Prime Minister.  

Modi’s success in turning the bureaucracy into a dynamic, dedicated workforce is commendable. But his success in diplomacy and international relations far outweigh his success elsewhere. His visit to Japan, forming a new axis of power – New Delhi-Tokyo axis – will have far-reaching consequences in geo-political shifting power. It will promote India’s Defence preparedness, technological leap, and infrastructural architecture.

Modi’s ability to communicate and get into the heart of his audience has won him many admirers among technocrats and business leaders, with whose cooperation, the Prime Minister can hope to change the face of urban India, with smart cities and bullet trains to crown it.     

Modi’s success on the economic front has just started showing results, with growth rate accelerating. If prices have not come down dramatically, the expectations are that the inflation will be tamed in the next six months.  

The economy is showing signs of recovery, with foreign investment prospects brightening and the growth rate set to go on the fast track. India needs an 8% growth rate to create 10 million jobs every year to keep unemployment at bay.

There was high expectation that the law and order situation would improve the moment Modi assumes power. Gang rapes and torture of school children continue as before. This government needs to do something drastic, even though law and order is a state subject.

Not standing on false prestige, Modi government has continued some of the welfare policies of the UPA government, to the chagrin of Congress top brass. The Prime Minister’s Home & Bank Account for every Indian has assumed enormous popularity.

Where Modi has not made much impact is in dealing with the heterogeneous complexity of India. The North East, the trouble-makers of J & K, and the linguistic chauvinism of Tamil Nadu are issues that should be taken up with greater statesmanship and far-sight.

Another grey area is our relationship with Pakistan, the fragile state that needs international monitoring. Exporting terrorism is a crime against humanity, for which the world community must stand up. Perhaps, a hundred days is not enough to mobilise world opinion against Islamabad or deal with the complexity of India in one go. But the real danger to Modi can come from the lunatic fringe who, if given a free hand, could negate all that his government achieved in 100 days, or will achieve in the next five years.

The 100 days of Modi has proved that he has a mind of his own – and a unique vision to make India the powerhouse of the world. NewsMobile wishes him all the best!