There’s a growing realization that PM Modi needs another term in support of his long-term agenda. This piece offers a unique view of why Modi should be re-elected in 2019.
2019 Election Fever
2019 general elections are less than a year away. Prime Minister Modi is the cynosure of all eyes. He is constantly inundated with policy prescriptions and the media pages are littered with the do’s and the don’ts for the rest of his tenure. While PM Modi has been scoffed at since time immemorial, the intensity of the attacks has amplified in recent times.
Just imagine a country where a Prime Minister is required to prod its citizens to uphold cleanliness? Unbelievable, but its true.
NOTA Brigade, Alternative PM
BJP’s recent performances not only has given a fillip to the adventures of the opposition but have also created consternation among disgruntled elements of the Dharmic Parivar. They are upset with Modi for not having pandered to their core beliefs. As a result, two camps have emerged – one advocating the “NOTA option” impulsively and the other advancing a vacuous idea of an “alternative PM“.
Fear of losing is hanging like a Sword of Damocles over their head. If this is the case, shouldn’t the NOTA brigade be advocating for Modi more aggressively?
As far as “Alternative PM” is concerned, it can be best described as moronic.
Those who are clamouring to unseat Modi in the opposition may have accidental company in these groups.
2019 is a civilizational battle and these two camps must realize the futility of opposing Modi. Hoping better sense will prevail upon them as the election nears.
Why should Modi be re-elected?
Prime Minister Modi does not merely want to develop India, he wants to transform it. While both involve change, the transformation is foundational, long-term and warrants a radical thinking and approach. NITI Aayog and GST stand as testimony in this regard.
This is in stark contrast to how development was perceived by his predecessors.
Modi is fiercely reform-driven and progress-minded. There’s a growing realization that PM Modi needs another term in support of his long-term agenda. After all, India is larger than Gujarat and its only fair he is given more time to achieve his vision.
While measurable results are quintessential to furtherance, this piece offers a different take on why Modi should be re-elected.
Discipline leads to Progress
Discipline is a pre-requisite for development and progress. This is true for any nation on earth.
Few examples:
- If a train arrives exactly at the scheduled time of 7:11 am consistently it says a lot about the underlying ecosystem. It is a strong indication of ownership, accountability, and an undeniable attitude towards one’s duties and responsibilities
- Waiting patiently for Waiting List quota to release without resorting to bribing the TTE is a strong indication of an attitude to follow the rules and not circumvent it.
- Waiting at the traffic light to go GREEN at 10:30 pm is an indication of honesty and penchant to follow rules.
Honesty, responsibility, patience, ownership, and accountability. A moral compass that is a bedrock of such an ecosystem.
This is what most of us yearn for in India, don’t we?
Modi is attempting to cultivate such an ecosystem at great odds.
A cursory look at some of his landmark initiatives is enough indication. Whether its Swacch Bharath, GST, Clean Ganga Campaign or Demonetization, Modi is provoking a shift in attitude and behavior of people that are intrinsic to his transformative agenda.
- Few additional yards of walk to a garbage bin – whether in a train station, railway compartment or in a street imparts a sense of responsibility. It also teaches people honesty and patience.
- Paying taxes indicates honesty and responsibility without a doubt, but also instills a sense of patriotism towards the Nation. When you are patriotic you tend to respect and care for public property and order.
Such behavior permeates other aspects of life in a positive manner.
Just imagine a country where a Prime Minister is required to prod its citizens to uphold cleanliness? Unbelievable, but its true.
India is on the cusp of landmark transformation and Modi government’s endeavour is to address the imbalance in India’s current capabilities and aspirations. The moral compass is central to that.
A corrupt and irresponsible society can never progress and develop because of centrifugal forces acting against it. A disciplined society will benefit from centripetal forces.
Modi owns up to the Government’s duties but expects equally from the citizens. Setting right the moral compass is an inextricable part of Modi’s vision. It is subtle, yet a critical success factor for his transformative agenda.
The quest to regain past glory must be viewed holistically. The moral compass is a vital cog in the wheel of Modi’s #NewIndia. It is the unit of measure for the fidelity of Indian renaissance.
This brings us to the key question: What happened to our moral compass?
Short Answer: Tragedy of British rule.
Dharampal‘s work Beautiful Tree documents India’s native Educational system which among other things, imparted dharmic values and principles. It was an enduring legacy of the 1500 years when India was a leading economic power in the World. Britishers replaced the native educational system with what is popularly known as the Macaulayan system, devoid of ideals and principles, and more in tune with the subservient needs of the then colonial administration.
As many intellectuals and commentators in the past and in the present have pointed out, British rule not only annihilated India’s economy and educational system but also destroyed our moral compass and self-confidence.
Obviously, India must regain what it lost to British perfidy.
The quest to regain past glory must be viewed holistically. The moral compass is a vital cog in the wheel of Modi’s #NewIndia. It is the unit of measure for the fidelity of Indian renaissance. It is a much-needed lubricant to align government responsibilities, citizenship duties and social tendencies in his quest for radical change.
Quite frankly, Modi is India’s first opportunity and the ONLY opportunity in contemporary times to set right this misalignment. It is possible with a clear vision and laser focus execution. Therein lies Prime Minister Modi’s advantage.
In the larger scheme of things, it is just the beginning. The virtuosity will develop over a period of time as citizens mature and learn from interactions within the society. This will then manifest into the collective conscious of the nation and become part of the nation’s value system. It is this value system that will catapult #NewIndia.
This can be achieved through a concerted effort on the part of the government and a cooperative effort on the part of its citizens. This will propel India to greatness and earn pride of place in the comity of nations back again after 500 years.
Modi 2.0 will act as a torchbearer and is a necessity in this regard.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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I wonder why is it that everywhere Hindus have to chronicle their troubles and dangers to the nation when Modi is the PM. Modi does not care for the Hindus — he is all about winning the elections for Vikas, OBCs and Dalits amongst the Hindus only count for anything. I wish you guys stopped being a propaganda mouthpeice of modi and shed some objective light on his actual achievement that contributed to improving the plight of the hindus in India and other places. I don’t see anything — Hindus are surviving on their own hard work and praying that some political force will deliver them from the Neheruvian hellhole that india has been reduced to.
Indians changed their lifestyle and behavior as the economic model changed and the law of the land changed. When the politicians and the bureaucrats behaved as the next kings and kings men what can the people do? People will adapt whatever makes them live peacefully, happier and wealthier. I agree that our attitude has to change, but it needs a leader who people can trust and believe to influence them to make a fundamental shift in their thoughts and behavior. Mr.Modi is not a leader for such a major shift. He does not believe that India can develop organically and tries to copy other developed nations which are never going to yield anything good for India.
He is becoming a Karunanidhi of India in other words, “best among the worst”.
Anand – Its surprising you make the comment “Mr Modi is not a leader for such a change”. It shows you have not read about what he did in Gujarat, like how he rebuilt Kutch after 2001 earthquake. This elementary understanding is required to judge his governance model and leadership capabilities. Simply making comments such as “not a leader” or “tries to copy other developed nations” won’t cut it without facts to back it up.
Modi promised Rs.15 Lakhs in every Indian’s bank account. Distributing free money to citizen neither improves the economy nor improve the morale of the common man. What is the difference between him and a cheap politician who pays for voting in return? How can anyone claim him as a leader when he bid for Rs.15 Lakh per vote? That’s the reason I don’t see him as a leader as no visionary leader would do that.
Modi wants to be praised as Lee Kuan Yew of India. LKY transformed Singapore from a third world country to a developed nation in just 10 years. He was a leader and visionary. He started by cleaning the streets himself and made laws to fine Singaporeans who littered. He promised to house everyone and achieved it within a few years. When there is no opportunity within the country, he attracted foreign companies by eradicating corruption, communism, providing security and business-friendly law. He modified the education system to support modern factories with a workforce trained in technologies. As he was achieving so many things in a shorter period of time there was no time for him to convince everyone and he behaved as authoritarian. LKY method will not help India as it is a big country with a big population and it’s a different era. “Make In India” campaign is a waste. Whether a PM conducts this campaign or not when the situation is favorable to foreign companies they would automatically invest to “Make In India”. Whether its implemenation of demonitization or NIET exam, the majority rating for him is poor.
Laughing out loud now because your first reference to 15 lakhs and your opinions based on it is enough to indicate that you have not done your research properly. You can still go and find out what exactly he said before you write here. It will only enhance the quality of your feedback. Besides, you should attempt to find out what Modi did so far and then offer your opinion. But you are just ranting and venting here. Please come prepared with facts, I’ll be happy to engage.
If you can take my suggestion and read up on how he rebuilt Kutch after the earthquake that will be a good start. The reason I suggest Kutch is because that was the first test of governance and leadership qualities of Modi as an administrator.
‘Administrator’. Perhaps, that word is the key. India has the IAS for that. The current PM is a good Administrator, better than most others. Is that good enough?
A gymnast, for example, can choose to perform tasks that have low degree of difficulty. S/he cannot get a high score. For my money, the prime minister cannot and should not be judged by such low standards.
The other chilling implication of the ‘administrator’ tag is the possibility of external thought provider, or external leader. Quite likely, the western economic thought is that guide. I hope that is not for the sake of some external interests. That is all I can say at the moment.
‘He does not believe that India can develop organically and tries to copy other developed nations which are never going to yield anything good for India’……that is a brilliant observation, Anand.
The only thing that can soften that assessment blow is the fact that India has to bend/bow to US wishes in many cases. Even after discounting that, I feel that the methods and the goals of this government are too Western and too far down the anti-hindu road. I hope I am wrong there.
First term as a prime minister has turned almost all corrupted politicians as his enemies. This certainly speaks for his honesty.
Second term with early experience will definitely help India March forward. Best wishes Modi ji.
Hilarious. Humorous. Possibly written after imbibing somrasa mixed with some sacred juice. Honesty, Dharma Pal, and a few more similar words that have no place in current economy…
I am waiting for its sequel.
Modi has mostly made people scared (dishonest and corrupt people) … We are happy that he has made you laugh too.
A person who has been a role model himself to all younger generations by working round the clock, despite his age should definitely be given a chance to lead.
Great People learn from their experiences… And the more they stay in power, the more a country benefits.
I just wish he makes India a self sustainable country against all international competitions. This is very difficult with opposing countrymen, always -against -biased -media, corrupt politicians who go to extent of asking help even from enemy nations. But Modi ji hard work and sincere efforts will be rewarded.
Hard work doesn’t imply honesty. For me, anyone who claims he or his party is not corrupt is extremely likely to be dishonest.
Second point. Dharam pal was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. The current education system with its emphasis on corporatization is the very antithesis of traditional Indian view of education.
Remove the scales from your eyes and throw the tinted glasses. Take a look around and think. You might get nearer to truth.
Sir, can you elaborate, rather than unsubstantiated attacks? Or would you rather prefer Sonia rule which left Rs 1.30 lac crores of oil bonds unpaid, lacs of crores in crony loans, and economy in state of cash-induced false support?
My comment was about the article, not about any election or rule. I can only laugh at the suggestion that X is honest or that X is doing anything to promote native education system.
I fail to understand how an educated person can be so gullible.
I would rather see an argument based on ground realities than one that is based on morality.