Modi cabinet has sworn in. Expectations from citizens and criticism from opponents will follow. Already seen opposition questioning his stance on dialogue building with Pakistan considering he was a fierce critique of 'talks cannot go with terror' philosophy. Of course, new to office he will try to get a dialogue with everyone India has an issue with before taking a tough or soft stand.I think it's a very good approach and his invite to all neighbours will only strengthen his position in South East Asia. This will give out a clear indication that he is open to talks till it's in the larger interest of mankind.
We see a relatively leaner cabinet as of now with a probability of expansion in future. Great deal of responsibility on few individuals like Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shankar Prasad and others given more than one ministry. It is certain that it's on basis of capabilities and trust shown in few men. For me, it's exciting times ahead, to see how the PM will manage his resources and to what extent will indulge in important ministries himself. We already know that he's told the secretaries of 80 odd ministries to prepare a 20 mins presentation on their role, achievements, road blocks and plans for the future. As I'm writing this blog, NaMo has tweeted that he's reached Gujrat Bhawan from the swearing in and now will start meeting officials. Meeting officials at 11 at night?? That's unheard off! Specially in our country! He said as much that he'll work 24x7 for the nation but who expected this! This brings us to two points. First that he will in fact work round the clock and with him, will all others associated like ministers and bureaucrats. Second, he's very communicative. Now, that's news as well. Never earlier we had a head of state in India who was this communicative. It's almost like we all have an open channel to him and he's just an arm's distance away. We are used to have a massive bureaucracy between us and our leaders that it was unimaginable to get to them. Here it seems like he's around, how far is yet to be seen though.
In my growing years and getting influenced by the politics I always had a thought that we should have a leader who is approachable, one who communicates his ideas, his work, his achievements, asks suggestions and take everyone along. Somewhere in 2006, PM Manmohan Singh gave a statement which came out in newspapers. He said that 'The drivers on road should be more careful while driving'. At that time, having no choice of communicating, I chose to write a letter to him stating that because he is not a very good orator, his personality is quite docile and he doesn't communicate with the people, his words won't make an impact on the public of this country. Indians won't take you seriously because you lack charisma which is probably required to lead a nation like ours. I also suggested him to be more close to the countrymen by talking to them, coming out and give a speech in troubled times. Over the years we all realised, that would never happen.
When MMS was declared the PM in 2004, my childhood memories of discussion in school bus came alive where someone told me that Nostradamus predicted a superpower which will rule the world and will have a leader with blue turban. Don't know how far thats true but I was excited to the core at MMS being the new PM. So it came as a big surprise to me when he was what he was in first few years. I got so concerned and upset that I decided to write that letter. No prizes for guessing that I was never replied.
Today I wonder, how can somebody be so close to what I had thought our PM should be. According to me his time is for the country and periodically, the PM should come on national television and update us on his work and also give a social message with it. Now, imagine Narindra Modi saying on national television that the drivers on road should be more careful while driving and saying that the civic agencies should keep cities more clean. I'm sure this will have a different reaction to what it had when MMS said it. So just to prove that.. Do you remember him saying it?? I guess not.. You got your answer!
So now our new PM has this, let's see what else he's got!
With no assumption, more expectation and extreme optimism,
Jai Hind!
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