In the eyes of the world and much of our nation Prime Minister Modi has proven to be a good orator and seller of dreams with potent symbolic gestures (e.g. “my dreams are your dreams”). In the Forbes list of the world’s most powerful people, he holds the 15th place! For the next five years, people expect a proactive government accelerating development and bringing back confidence of investors into the manufacturing, marketing and banking systems. The coming Union budget will give a new direction as promised by the Finance minister, to help the dreams so well sold to be realized.
The situation world wide is in flux and dangerous. The American mid term elections has given Republicans control of both houses of Congress making Obama head a lame duck administration, if they do not cooperate. Russia and China are flexing their muscles, whilst the Middle East where most of the oil comes from is a powder keg! North Korea is another dangerous factor.
The rise of ISIS and fundamentalist forces like Boko Haram in Africa and Taliban and extremist organizations in Pakistan and Afghanistan spreading their wings, especially after planned withdrawal of the American and NATO forces are something we have to be prepared for.
The UPA delayed the black money investigation, and in that time, it is reported that most of the foreign accounts have been cleaned out. The Supreme Court felt the need to pull up the BJP government and take over further dragging of this issue! The PM has now highlighted the issue at the G-20 Summit. Party spokespersons cleverly state that if anyone is found guilty, the party will not be involved and the guilty will have to face the music. History is being revalued; Nehru, Indira sidelined, Mahatma Gandhi was relevant to civic issues and for a start Vallabhai Patel has been appropriated to unite the nation. Retribution will probably be sought to color justice and Mythology professed as History. The Congress is foolishly trying to wrest Vallabhai and Nehru- Gandhi from the BJP, instead of looking upon these historical stalwarts as belonging to the nation and not to any one party. Immoral moral brigades and ungodly Godmen are allowed to proliferate, politically used until they are exposed or become powerful enough to challenge the law and the State. Pakistan is trying hard to internationalize the Kashmir issue. The Press does not get easy access to the government and is by and large wary of not toeing the government line.
Our PM is meeting almost all the relevant world leaders and those of our neighbours. He is creating tremendous good will by his oratory and pro active stance. The various scams in procurement of aircrafts, ships and equipment, financial constraints and too many accidents slowing down our battle readiness need immediate attention. This has perhaps prompted the PM to quickly shift former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar as the Union Defence Minister having serious implications for Goa.
Most people voted for Parrikar as CM and not necessarily for the BJP. He was a proven good administrator, intelligent and as leader of the opposition he was with the people, facts at his fingertips taking the UPA government to task! As CM he was able to keep all politicians in their place, defusing pressure points whilst managing most of the major portfolios himself. All respected and also feared him as he had a grip on friends and foes alike with a cozy relationship with the Church and hence we had a stable government.
Laxmikant Parsekar, Parrikar’s protege was chosen as the replacement CM. Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza says Parsekar democratically got the most votes whereas the Central Observers say he was unanimously elected! The party with a difference like the Congress party goes by their High Command writ. Now the RSS will probably “advise” the High Command at the Centre through Raksha Mantri Parrikar to decide which direction Goa goes. The altar boys surely see the writing on the wall and with a comparative weak leader the electorate wonders what next.
The Congress and AAP seem unable to resurrect and renew themselves with new strategies or creation of a third front to become a significant opposition force. The PM appears to work to generally eliminate, not tolerate the Opposition. The government is moving in the right direction prohibiting employees first class air travel, limiting foreign jaunts with companion freebies, also five star hotels meetings/ seminars whilst promoting video conferencing to cut down on unnecessary/ discretionary expenditure. This however is not in line with lavish expenditures by the BJP on massive rallies and political celebrations. The PM has motivated the bureaucrats to work in public interest and made cleanliness and provision of toilets a national movement. There is a tougher approach to provocations at the border both by China and Pakistan. The government has professed a “Sab Ke Sath, Sub Ka Vikas” philosophy, which means taking everyone along without exception in a less government with more governance paradigm.
We must look at all of this realizing power corrupts and ironically politics and religion divide us whilst terrorists and criminals unite us; intelligent debate discussing not arguing and without shouting and talking at the same time is rare; littering, spitting, polluting festivities are habits that will not easily die and so on. Handling of the winter session of Parliament will be an eye opener! All hopes reside in our Prime Minister being able to walk the talk. He is not PM of the RSS or the BJP but has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of India! His centralized style of power is positive for now but could damage democratic institutions in the long run. Oratory will not pack the crowds in future if practical delivery does not follow. For a credible and prosperous India a new direction is surely needed!
(The author is a retired naval officer
resident in Porvorim).
