Modi 2.0 - 2019 And Beyond...

It's a huge victory again for the NDA and Narendra Modi is set to become the Prime Minister for the second term. Being a Modi supporter since 2014, I am ecstatic about this landslide win. It was even overwhelming to see the Congress-led UPA utterly vanquished by the BJP juggernaut. Here is my perspective on why the NDA won this national election easily.

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Ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, he pledged to work for this nation with his motto: "Development and good governance," and the objective for his cabinet ministry was crystal clear: "I need results." So he formed a team of ministers who could progressively drive this country. Each of the ministers went to the grass root level, understood the problems of the people and began fixing them. I am not saying he has fulfilled all the promises. It's not easy to clean up the mess of the previous governments and moreover, it's a herculean task to run a world's largest democratic country. When there was not a single scam against him, people began to trust him. The major steps he took to curb corruption shook the nation. Flowers of confidence began to bloom in the hearts of honest people. But a fire of hatred ignited and raged in the hearts of the corrupt. Initiatives like Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and many more schemes are a super hit as they benefitted everyone. The monetary benefits were directly credited to people's bank accounts without middlemen, who used to misuse their power to exploit the benefits. Then there was a dire need to strengthen national security. He took some bold decisions to improve defense infrastructure and launched non-military preemptive attacks that neutralized terror outfits which made even the world superpowers gasp in surprise. This kind of retaliation was sorely missed after the horrific terrorist attack on Mumbai in 26/11/2008.

This kind of result-driven government showed its citizens that caste-based politics, pseudo secular bureaucracy, etc are all a sham. Before the 2014 elections, political leaders displayed sycophancy just to get votes and be in power. Once they got elected, they used to swallow all the taxpayer's money for their own selfish advantage. People had lost faith and had thus become ignorant. But after 2014, people became responsible citizens and stepped out of their comfortable homes to cast their votes. Narendra Modi, known for his extempore public speaking skills, had successfully planted the seed of faith and restored trust in the hearts of the people by reaching out to them in person from every corner of the nation. He briefed them about various schemes the government had launched, the groundwork that is being done, and how to make use of them. This is how he became the man of the people; the spirit of Bharat. By the time 2019 election was around the corner, people became vigilant. They knew, if they don't act responsibly, the nation will collapse in the hands of incompetent leaders with no objective or vision. In this way, Narendra Modi has set a benchmark in Indian politics. The goal is simple: If you want to be in power, then work for the people from the ground up. That's it. 2019 election has put an end to dynasty politics. It's history now.

Now I want to express a few words about the downside of this election result. It is clear that the parliament house is now one-sided. There is no strong opposition. In my school days, I was taught that the opposition is like a watchdog, overseeing the proceedings of the government. It should provide constructive feedback on the things that are deviating from progress, the issues that are being neglected or sometimes forgotten. Sometimes, it has to support the ruling party to make the nation stronger. The Congress-led UPA, with its members already offering to resign, is not fit to be in opposition. I see this election is an end of the Congress party. There is already news that its party president may resign. Even though BJP-led NDA has an impressive image, it needs a strong opposition on the floor of the house. Only then it will be called democracy. I really hope a new party or an existing party makes a fresh start and challenge the government for the growth of New India.

I am eager to witness some more development initiatives and pleasant surprises in Modi 2.0.

Jai Hind!

Please Vote!

You heard what I said. Please vote. That's the least you could do. Legally. To witness change in this country we live in, that's all we can do. Vote! That's our right; our only privilege to change the face of our nation. Let's exercise it.

I have been festering in the middle of so many discussions about India's problems and unresolved issues while having lunch with colleagues and during tea breaks. I sit quietly because I very well know I can't do anything about it. Mainly because I am not at all interested in it and secondly, I really can't do anything about it. I am helpless. Everyone is smart enough to talk and debate for hours about high voltage drama that's shown on news channels and in the newspapers. Today's media is constantly feeding negativism. So our minds are tuned to it. We don't get excited if there is any pleasant news. And how can media lose their business, when they know that only the scandalous news is making money for them? And we, "smart people", all we do is talking. If we are so much concerned about the country's progress, why do we just sit and blabber about how pathetic India is? Why don't we join politics and start making the change?

So, considering most citizens, who want to live their lives the easy way, but sick and tired of the state of affairs of the country, the best thing we can do is vote. We are seeing drama everyday on TV. We are watching news, interviews and talk shows involving our leading political leaders. So, its an undeniable fact that we do have just enough intelligence to foresee a person leading our country who can bring in that change. I am not saying the change will happen overnight. It will certainly take time. But by exercising our basic right of casting vote is the first step towards the change that we anticipate. "How does my vote count? After all It's a single vote! It hardly matters." The answer is, no! It matters. Even I used to think in the same way. Trust me, there are many citizens who think likewise. And what happens? Looking at the total voting count, the number dangles between 45% and 60%. And this number is going to decide who is going to govern the country! What's worse! Some part of this percentage comes from people who are lured by money and all other immoral/illegal means to cast their votes to hand-picked "so called" leaders without their free will. Therefore, I am entreating all the citizens of India to cast their votes in this year's general elections.

When I shared this with my colleague, he came up with new information. This time there is a choice of "None of these" on the voting machines. If you think that none of the political leaders are fit, you can select this option. What next? Well, there is a fight going on in the Supreme Court. If the count of this is 50% and above, there will be a re-election. The Election Commission will set a directive which won't let the same babus stand a chance for the second time. Well, I think this is a start, better than nothing.

I implore to all the politicians of India. Improvement of the nation not only means to bring in new opportunities, industries, jobs, infrastructure, etc. All of this will happen anyway. There is no way stopping these objectives from execution. But lets accept the fact. India is in huge pile of mess and corruption is the stinking scum of it. It needs to be cleaned up - from the grass-roots to the leaves. Then, it will be a big leap forward to make our country flourish faster. Then any citizen won't have to bribe in any Government offices. Elected officials should be bound to do their duties rightfully. Otherwise, they should be sacked. Its so distressing even to think of situations when I had to bribe just to make them listen to my words. Curbing corruption will certainly improve the overall development progress of the entire nation. The other point that is equally indispensable is security. People are afraid to walk on streets. Indian judiciary is very strong. But it lacks strict and prompt execution. Cops are meant to protect people. Their duty is to ensure security. But they act powerless. So people are scared of cops. This is deplorable.

Now, please don't tell me you don't have a voter's card. That's such lame and a crappy excuse man. Give me a break! Its such a ridiculous reason. If you don't have this and/or you don't want to cast your vote, then please don't talk anything about current affairs of this country. Because you don't have the god damn right to discuss bullshit. I want to have my meal peacefully at least once in a day. I don't want spoil my day with your crap filled bowl of political diagnosis which will always leave my stomach upset!

EVERY VOTE COUNTS. BEGINNING APRIL 7, 2014

The Reboot of Mahabharatha

How sure are you to believe those 100 Kuravas are children are of both Dritharashtra and Gandhari? How did Satyavati's son Vichitravirya die? Do you strongly believe that five Pandavas are sons of Pandu and Kunti? The version of tale written by Shashi Tharoor gives life to the great epic by being more realistic. There is no magic or wizardry involved. There is no boon or curse. But, it only tells the truth. Its all beautifully presented in The Great Indian Novel. It maps people and incidents of Indian freedom struggle to that of characters and situations in Mahabharata. It marks the beginning of politics. I am not referring to politics by Krishna as stated in Bhagavad Geeta. I am inferring to the birth of Indian politics that is witnessed even today. The only prerequisite to read this book is you need to have knowledge of Indian Independence movement and you should have read Mahabharata.

Do you think that India got its independence due to resistance of our freedom fighters? The book mentions that after the World War, British were tired and lost capacity to rule India. So they appointed the last viceroy to clean up the mess quickly and return home. Indian leaders were given just eight months to form government. Meanwhile, Pandu was unhappy with Gangaji's principles of non-violence. He went mad when Dhritarastra was hailed as Gangaji's successor. He always believed in aggressive means to get rid of British. He left Kaurava Party and went on to build India's army. He took help of Japan for its formation. Eventually his movement wasn't successful and he got killed in an airplane crash.

At this time India was in a great predicament and agreement was never drawn between Kaurava Party and the Muslim Group. So, it was Mohammad Ali Karna parted with Karnistan as a separate state. There were Indian Muslims who backed Kaurava Party and they wanted to prove that there are many Muslims in India and India will help uplift them. And it did happen. Karna's theory was falsified. He stood firm on his belief that Muslims can only flourish if they are in a separate state but definitely not in India. It was under Mohammad Rafi as party president when Manimir was annexed to India overnight by Vidur. It also describes about the aftermath of Partition. What ignited the Manimir issue? Because of Dhritarastra's blind idealism, he was blamed when he got UN involved in this issue. Because of UN, part of it was given to Karnistan and bulk of it to India.

How well did Dhritarastra perform as first Prime Minister of India? He was becoming ignorant about social values that he had when he started the movement. Uplifting rural India wasn't being considered by him. That led to the rise of the Pandavas with Drona as their mentor. They stood for a cause of up bringing rural sections of Indian society. This posed a threat to the ruling party. Between Kaurava Party & the Pandavas stood Ms Draupadi Mokrasi; Ms D. Mokrasi, in short. I hope you got what I trying to say. And this is how she was objectified and exploited between the two. Yet she was protected by the five pillars of the nation: Judiciary, Army, Media, Diplomatic & Administrative Services.

It also discusses about expulsion of colonial rule in Comea and finally it was joined with Indian union. This happened under the leadership of Dhristarasta's most trusted minister: Kanika Menon. Kanika was India's representative at the UN and notorious for long speeches. The book elaborates about cause for Indo-Chakra dispute and also throws light on how India failed to defend Tebia. Indan jawans fighting in mountain regiments had no all weather rations and were obliged to wear canvas tennis-shoes in Himalayan snow. Dhritarastra was so immersed in the company of his popular minister Kanika that he had no desire to listen to the warnings. Our soldiers with their unprotected backs turned, warming glove-less hands before domestic stoves in icy mountain passes, as Defense Minister Kanika danced with a mask of confirmed conquer while Dhritarastra makes visionary speeches about non-aligned unity and brotherhood of Indians and Chakras. So he was criticized for his negligence and his decline was gradual but decisive. Gradually his daughter Priya Duryodhani gears up and takes the role of India's CEO. Her stubbornness and her will to operate as per her wish was her sole objective. Many initiatives were taken by her despite strong opposition. Her only appreciative accomplishment was India's victory in the Gelabi Desh war. She was found guilty corrupt electoral practice. The famous scene of Draupadi cheer haran is associated with how Duryodhani and her handpicked minions had been stripping the nation of the values and institutions we had been right to cherish.

It is no doubt that as we read along, our minds will start associating characters of the epic to the real people involved in Independence movement. Today's youth will definitely be enlightened after reading this book because I honestly did not understand what Manimir issue is all about. I couldn't make head or tail of it when I read about it in the newspapers or when I watched on television. I feel so relieved and inexplicably happy now to know all these things about my country. I was startled to discover so many things about Indian freedom struggle and its aftermath. The cunning nature, the shrewdness and the wickedness of those people whom we think as noble men are justified.

The language used is at its best. It is one of finest English literary works I have ever read. You will definitely start reciting the conversations as mentioned in the book.  It has a modern touch of everything. Sarcasm and humor are both just brilliantly played. And, you will also admire Tharoor's skill in the way this twice-born tale is organized and narrated. Definitely this book must be made a TV series with Tharoor as a screen writer and director, and cast should consist of acclaimed actors filling the screen with astounding performances portraying the characters - delicately and carefully - as described in the book. Undoubtedly, this book is a must read for every Indian.

Further reading:
The Great Indian Novel - Wikipedia

What have you done about it?

A wall post on Facebook: "Hazare starts a 'fast unto death' to exert pressure on the government of India to fight against corruption!" Within a day - 15 people like this. View all 5 comments.

One comment reads: "He is a great soul. This country needs many men like him."

The point is - What have you really done about this situation? You think posting such things on the wall will make you really cool, sound awesome and make you a cool dude or a super cool dame isn't it? Some people think that you are up to the mark or you are the master of current affairs of this country.

Let me be very honest and frank here. Posting such status on Facebook, Orkut or Twitter might make you famous. But, do you really understand the gravity of the situation? Or have you really been through fasting for some days? Trust me; your balls will drop off! Okay, I agree you will be having innumerable reasons for not going through. At least try to contribute something, however trivial it may be, for the betterment of the society. Post your ideas on how to save society from evils like corruption. Create awareness such that people will start considering your point and make some impact.

Let’s not forget the fact that if Facebook is made a country, it is third most populous nation in the world. Your words will reach across the country. But NO! All you want to do is register maximum number of likes, comments, etc. Can't you see, the nation is bleeding with scams! And you are just making fun of it!

The bottom line is plain and simple. If you are posting just the facts on the political situation, then go find a place somewhere else other than Facebook, Orkut, Twitter or any other social network. You are misleading the younger generation which is growing behind you. Instead post something that is helpful or useful to the state. Be constructive! Think about solving social issues or problems.

If you think I am blaming you, fine then, I can't help it. At least I don't post something which I don't have knowledge about it or I cannot do anything about it.