Mr PM, promises and outcomes have to match!

Circa 1942: Karenge ya marenge, Gandhi’s slogan that inspired millions to join the Quit India movement against British rule in August 1942. Circa 2017: Karenge aur kar ke rahenge, Modi’s twist to evoke patriotism and pledge to free the country of communalism, casteism and corruption and create a ‘new India’ by 2022 on the Quit India movement’s 75th anniversary. Succinctly, “I mean business.”

Really? Has he brought about inclusiveness, made minorities comfortable and won their confidence? Not if we go by ex-Vice President Hamid Ansari version of “enhanced apprehensions of insecurity amongst segments of our citizen body, particularly Dalits, Muslims and Christians”, at the National Law School in Bengaluru.

Modi’s assertiveness would need all the wisdom and restraint to ensure he remains in the driver’s seat. Knowing that staying ahead is the name of the game he cannot afford to take any chances with what constitutes India’s national security and strategic interests in the context of evolving regional and global security environment and pursue them doggedly.

Demonetisation dealt a major liquidity blow there’s been a significant drop in production, manufacturing, sales and employment. Alongside, the mid-year Economic Survey underscores achieving 6.75-7.5% growth is a pipedream due to appreciating rupee, farm loan waivers and transitionary challenges from implementing GST. Adding to government’s woes a recent RBI report avers notebandi had negative and disruptive effects.

Merely changing currency notes would not curb corruption without systemic reforms of bureaucratic, legal, and regulatory frameworks
Yet, in this 24X7 digital age and competitive politics given the all-round public cynicism about our netas and the continued erosion of Constitutional institutions, it is vital NaMo adheres to the spirit of the Constitution, rather than its letter and acts as the nation’s “conscience-keeper” along-with balancing the ever-growing inherent contradiction within. He needs to address basics vital to India’s healthy growth and purge caste, creed, regional and linguistic identities.

With half of India’s population in the 18-35 age bracket the aspirational levels of a young democracy has changed dramatically. No longer are old clichés, Styrofoam promises and histrionics palatable. All demand an Obama-like “Yes we can” politics. Today, the Prime Minister can be complacent about the Modi Model of Power but it will not be roses all the way as there are never any full stops in politics.

In a world of post-truth and post-ideology politicking, there is the stirrings of new politics. Time has come for our netas to turn a new page and invest in its citizens, their education, health and future. An intent generation is unlikely to remain content in a scenario where a Modi-led Government does not create jobs or contain rural distress.

Undoubtedly, NaMo stirring speech from the ramparts of Delhi’s Red Fort urging people to revel in the “feel-good factor” has ignited a new chingari but at the same time he should remember promises and outcomes have to match. True, he and his Government can blame the Opposition, natural calamities etc if the outcomes don’t look good and claim credit when they do.

But in the long term it is imperative Modi realizes that no amount of good luck can cover the lack of substantive achievements. People like happy endings and are waiting for acche din to arrive. After all, we Indians deserve a lot better.

By Poonam I Kaushish