Time to redeem the honour and economy of the Nation

Turbulent , frustrated and anguished masses in the country are already writing new script of Indian politics and that is why we are witnessing 70%voting in areas far flung  where it used to be merely in 40%. Over all 10% increase in voting is sign of change. One thing is clear that young people have come out in droves to bring a sea change in Indian politics.  That always was the case with youth but they knew no change is possible and had become indifferent. Now the transformation of the fortunes of the country appears possible due to many developments following Anna’s crusade and especially the rise of Narender Modi who has virtually swept the country with his mission to win masses and change the face of India  rather than fight  negative battles of defeating targeted persons as followed by AAP and others. AAP came close on the heels of Anna’s crusade, generated hope  of change but its leader Arvind Kejariwal demolished his own party due  to his high ambition to quickly rise to the top although professing that he does not want to be a Prime Minister. He has totally lost his credibility by telling lies and even in violation of his public swearing by his children announcing that he would not take support of both BJP and Congress, formed Delhi government after his conditions were accepted by Congress.  It was clear that he was seeking power at any cost and his mask of honesty and transparency had vanished. In 49 days he left on one point in his not bothering about rest 18 in his agenda. We thought he was different but he was like other greedy politicians who indulged in double speak and while posturing simplicity was hood winking the masses. One Congress leader remarked aptly “We exposed him completely by offering support and proved his lack of will to govern but only agitate”. A taxi driver who had voted for him said “ Ham sabne uspe vishwas kiya par unhon ne to hamen dhoka diya”. No wonder later he received slaps from his own men. Now he is fighting Narender Modi in his epic battle of negative politics.

Indian politics changed a lot after Anna’s crusade and public anger got consolidated. 2014Elections have provided a way to express it as both Anna’s fast and AAP drama did not succeed and now masses are eyeing a decisive and credible leader who can give them good governance. Electorate is fed up with indecisive, unimaginative and weak leadership of the country. Sanjay Baru’ book accidental Prime Minister and Parakh’ narration of coal scandal went only to reveal how mafia and scams were perpetuated by a proxy leader. The tragedy is that even senior editors of respected media stand exposed when the details are given as how they were manipulated for what is euphemistically called paid news. What more is left in the nadir of degeneration of our political and media nexus when the country faces unparalleled economic and developmental challenges.

In this context Narender Modi stands as the beacon of hope and has promise to deliver since he has track record of excellent performance in his own state. There are critics who donot accept Gujrat performance. Data is positive overall but laet me illustrate it with Power problems. In 2003 the state electricity board was incurring loss of 2500crores. Today it is in profit of 550 crores whereas all the states are floundering in this vital area. There was more than 30% loss in transmission as in most of the states in India but he controlled it and stopped the theft by establishing 5 Police stations only for eliminating thefts. The state is now providing three phase power to 18000villages  round the clock. It is benefitting farmers and industry. He promoted even salt desert as tourism spot and roped in Amitabh Bachan that branded it and resulted in increased employment and control of border areas as tribals lived there but without much resource. What else is good governance?

By all accounts Modi in my assessment if likelto get support of over 290 members in new house. Old Politics is out and new politics is in. It is not politics of capitalism or socialism or secularism but politics of humanism, good governance and economic reconstruction.

Bus Stop

First passenger: Some wives have complained to Police that their husbands donot pay attention and watching Modi speeches till mid night.

Second Passenger: Many opponents will now charge him for human right violations!

--Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India 

Air of Varansi

Air of Varanasi – Whiff of Ganga breeze

The air of Varanasi  smells of change and hopes. I have been going there for years but now last four days at the city showed strange aroma of expectancy and verve amongst citizens. Last year I took my 200 students to clean the Ganga Ghats and the Mayor who was present was surprised to see that tones of garbage was collected by my students whereas Government cleaners had already done their job in the morning. Moving in the lanes of the city in the morning Kachodi and alusabzi breakfast was being served in stalls. I heard a lot about Pan Banares wala propagated by Amitabh Bachan but did not dare to taste it as I feared strong intoxicants in it. I spoke to Pan walas and chaiwalas. They seem to be suddenly empowered as if Modi is elevating every chaiwala . This was a brilliant strategy of Modi to engineer a connect with aam aadmi as once a Chaiwala can become a Prime Minister. There could not bigger achievement of democracy and the elite crowd who thought they only have claim to occupy high post got a fitting reply. Meeting and talking to cross section of people in the streets hotels and ghats one could experience near total support for Narendr Modi.

I was concluding an International Seminar on socio-technical frontiers of global management and 400 participants, scholars, teachers and students, had come to realize that a country to make significant stride in economy needs climate of trust and decisive leadership. Every one seemed to be the campaign manager of Modi. Young students of MBA seemed to enthusiastic to see the change. I talked to a section of Muslim community too while some were showing restraint and reservation yet some were very clear that if business grows they too will benefit and above all Varanasi had no poor record of communal riots. It is a city of harmony. Amit Shah who established party office was also going round seeking support of all sections including Muslims.

It was surprising that some of the boatmen who had not seen  Modi did say ‘ Sahab sunte hai acha aadmi hai usiko vote Karen ge’. What is better indication of a wind in favor of Modi. As far as Kejriwal is concerned there seemed to be no impact as even the crowd in his rally was reported to be from outside the area. The fact that other parties are closing their flanks also went in favor of Modi as public saw it as a sign of fear amongst these parties.

Back In Delhi there is prevailing mood of disgust with the way Kejriwal left the job and ran for fighting Lak Sabha and with his candidates reluctant to fight  Salman Khurshid, Pilot and others there is sense of demoralization and disappointment with a good party that gave up its agenda of anti-corruption and following the path of Anna Hazare with all compromises and telling lies even on oath. The problem is that once Kejriwal loses his credibility, which is already at low ebb, the party will have to recover in 2019 or vanish in thin air.

Bus Stop

First Passenger: Many people are claiming to member of BAAP what is this party?

Second Passenger: I heard some one is calling his party Bhartiya Aam Aadmi Party.

--------Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India