A lot has been written, and is in the process of being written, about Narendra Modi's term in office as the Prime Minister. While the vast fan base of Modi, and the many thousands of conservative Indians who seem to have found a voice on social media, is refocusing its efforts in highlighting the new government's work, his critics have been more than vocal in asking where the acche din are.
No doubt, that kick-starting a behemoth that is the Indian system is not a work of days, or even months. For India to amply demonstrate that it has turned the corner after what many argue is one of its worst governed periods in independent history, it could take a lot time for any visible impact on the ground.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, whichever way you look at it, the opposition is so weak that it can at best troll and flame bait the government. While the Government did face a sticky situation when it could not get the Insurance Bill passed, the ever optimist that I am, believe that was because the BJP is simply learning the ropes of running a government at the Centre, and it is not easy for anybody in the present government, who are all relative newcomers on the national arena.
This holds true for dealing with the media as well. The Prime Minister has more certainly gotten down to running the Government, and is much more sparse in his social media presence, and participation in Parliamentary debates. The Cabinet too, is not without its share of controversies. A lot has been made of Smriti Irani's educational background, a lot of it is artificially contrived if you ask me, and she recently got the NDA critics all excited when she claimed to have a degree from Yale, which, it turns out, is a short certification course she once participated in.
Another perpetual discussion that always rides pillion with the Government is the allegiance of Arun Jaitley. He's been known to be close to the Gandhis, he's been known to be close to NDTV, and the conspiracies rage on. Its another matter that he's in the line of fire for leading two of the Government's most important and high profile ministries - Finance and Defense.
Nevertheless, while the jibes on #achhedin continues to be the way to go for all critics and opposition, what I do believe in that we will see change. Undoubtedly the Government will face stiff opposition and criticism from the whole gamut of its usual and perennial critics, whether justified or not, and that Modi will have a tougher job of pushing through his agenda when there are a lot more stakeholders to convince, and a lot more toes to step on, but he can draw strength from the immense mandate he has received, to lead this country. Something that could be used to override an opposition that seems to be committed to block any of his decisions, with or without merit.
Each and every part of the system is crying for an upgrade. There are archaic laws and regulations that need to be updated or removed altogether, there are delivery systems that have leaks in every place, and there are people sitting in the government that are simply not able to deliver, or do not want to deliver. To change all this is not a matter of weeks or months, but as Edison said, genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. The only way is to keep chipping away on the block of rock that is contemporary India, and slowly but surely it will turn into something better.
No doubt, that kick-starting a behemoth that is the Indian system is not a work of days, or even months. For India to amply demonstrate that it has turned the corner after what many argue is one of its worst governed periods in independent history, it could take a lot time for any visible impact on the ground.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, whichever way you look at it, the opposition is so weak that it can at best troll and flame bait the government. While the Government did face a sticky situation when it could not get the Insurance Bill passed, the ever optimist that I am, believe that was because the BJP is simply learning the ropes of running a government at the Centre, and it is not easy for anybody in the present government, who are all relative newcomers on the national arena.
This holds true for dealing with the media as well. The Prime Minister has more certainly gotten down to running the Government, and is much more sparse in his social media presence, and participation in Parliamentary debates. The Cabinet too, is not without its share of controversies. A lot has been made of Smriti Irani's educational background, a lot of it is artificially contrived if you ask me, and she recently got the NDA critics all excited when she claimed to have a degree from Yale, which, it turns out, is a short certification course she once participated in.
Another perpetual discussion that always rides pillion with the Government is the allegiance of Arun Jaitley. He's been known to be close to the Gandhis, he's been known to be close to NDTV, and the conspiracies rage on. Its another matter that he's in the line of fire for leading two of the Government's most important and high profile ministries - Finance and Defense.
Nevertheless, while the jibes on #achhedin continues to be the way to go for all critics and opposition, what I do believe in that we will see change. Undoubtedly the Government will face stiff opposition and criticism from the whole gamut of its usual and perennial critics, whether justified or not, and that Modi will have a tougher job of pushing through his agenda when there are a lot more stakeholders to convince, and a lot more toes to step on, but he can draw strength from the immense mandate he has received, to lead this country. Something that could be used to override an opposition that seems to be committed to block any of his decisions, with or without merit.
Each and every part of the system is crying for an upgrade. There are archaic laws and regulations that need to be updated or removed altogether, there are delivery systems that have leaks in every place, and there are people sitting in the government that are simply not able to deliver, or do not want to deliver. To change all this is not a matter of weeks or months, but as Edison said, genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. The only way is to keep chipping away on the block of rock that is contemporary India, and slowly but surely it will turn into something better.
