The New India Government: 9 Point Action Plan in the next 99 days

The following article has been written by a kindred spirit:

The much needed change in the political leadership in India is truly of gigantic proportions not only because a karma yogi , Mr Modi , is taking over the reigns of taking India in a new direction, but also because he has transformed the mood of the country and its people. India is experiencing a generative mood of ambition , pride , passion , positivity with hope and belief back in the mind sets of the people. At the same time the degenerative mood of cynicism , negativity , mistrust , doubt and frustration is on the decline. While various groups of people will go through their own emotional exuberance and depression, it is certain that the new government's plate is full. The left overs and the negative legacies of the previous government needs to be trashed and / or refurbished. Case in point is the refusal of the TN Chief Minister Jayalalitha , pampered by Congress and UPA due to coalition compulsions, to attend the swearing in ceremony because of the invitation/presence of the President of Sri Lanka. She has disrespected the office of the PM and she must account for her decision by explaining what would she have done differently in the absence of a continued dialogue and would she propose a breakdown in the relationship between the two countries ? Virtually every aspect of India , social, technology , economy and politics , needs a fresh new look and many action plans need to be put in place to put the economy and social fabric on a stronger basis. This is as much a time for bold declarations as it is for bolder actions.

Victory has many fathers and claimants, therefore it is no surprise that expectations from Mr. Modi, has reached levels hitherto unknown. He is a reformer , a doer but not a magician ! Please do not expect him to change everything with the sleigh of his hand but certainly allow his handiwork some time to have the required impact. I am not offering any excuses on his behalf but stating an obvious fact. And thus the challenges for him to manage those expectations are real , even though he will have the benefit of doubt of supporters. The detractors are only waiting to pounce on everything that goes even marginally wrong claiming their pound of flesh. As such , Mr. Modi need not fear , fear itself and act towards the launch of the national mood towards action.

For far too long , we Indians have luxuriated and indulged ourselves in the five V's of our social fabric - Vichar ( thinking) , Vimarsh ( consulting with each other) , Vishlayshan ( analysis ) , Vimochan ( dissertation ) and Vikhyan ( pontification ) ! Mr. Modi has made a different offering by connecting well with the people of India cutting across various dissensions because he proved himself to be a karm yogi - perhaps the most important teaching of Bhagwad Gita. Mr. Modi made action as his mool mantra of success.

The press , media and all the supposed big names are already putting out various six , seven or eight point agendas for doing what the government must do in almost every single ministry. Suggestions like these are also pouring in from all those who can offer one. Thanks to the power of social media it is indeed possible to do so as well. However I recall my grandfathers teaching and I almost quote him verbatim " great people did not become great because they did great things suddenly. They became great because they did those small things right over a period in time". With this in mind I am offering the 9 point action plan for the next 100 days that will be the first baby steps towards a giant leap. Every 100 days a new landmark will continue until the completion of the five year term.

9 action issues to attend to in the remaining 99 days :

1. Approve and activate minimum 9 Power projects , with at least 2 in most deprived regions of the country. Let there be light everywhere in India.

2. The cleaning of Varanasi begins NOW... ask ALL bureaucrats to set an example by picking up the broom and sweeping the streets and deposit the waste in the right place in the right bin. Announce that it is everybody's responsibility to keep their city clean. Challenge at least 9 other cities to join in the effort. Create cleaning the city as a Waste management practice and business opportunity and that there is wealth to be created doing so respecting the sanitation aspect of work rather than a menial job.

3. Issue immediate instructions that NO politician or bureaucrat will any more participate in the award ceremonies or open a sporting event. Ask HRD ministry to submit a report, within 90 days, to lay a firm ground for organizing college and school sports as it is done in US or other great sporting nations. It is a pity that sports, which respects and necessitates performance as a criterion for success, is not given enough importance due to lack of opportunity at grassroots levels.

4. Announce continuation of Mr Rajan as RBI Governor and accept RBI recommendation not to have GOI and RBI nominees on the Board of commercial banks in India. This is an epochal recommendation which will bring about accountability and responsibility in commercial banks in the way they address and attend to loans and advances and the assets that go sour. Since most of the large loans have to be approved either by a select committee for the purpose or the full board , the RBI and the Government representatives cannot absolve themselves of their responsibility if the asset becomes non - performing. Consequently significant time is spent in obfuscation to camouflage the shared responsibility and accountability suffers at the highest levels. This has a detrimental impact on the management teams from the top to the bottom. Merely adding capital is not the solution to NPAs. Currently Indian economy is saddled with huge number of NPAs and the amounts run in several lac crores. India cannot afford this waste of precious capital. Banks job is not only to sell the NPAs to a Asset Reconstruction Company for a pittance but to revive the business to preserve and enhance the value of capital. Only when we do that, the project management can become a viable option.

5. Announce the privatization of Air India to recapture the glory days of the national carrier. Even the leadership of the Pilot Association lamented about the ridiculous interferences of the bureaucracy in running down the airline. National carriers carry the national identity to all countries of the world. The world witnesses first hand the management culture of a country through the projection of its image by its performance and offerings at its airports and in the sky. I believe very few will give Air India a thumbs up on its performances. At a global seminar about ten years ago , I was asked to define what opportunity meant in the Indian context given the economic agenda. I had said that at that time the United States had over 6000 aircrafts serving the domestic and international flying needs of the American people. India, with three times the population had just about 300 plus aircrafts ! If only India began to have a comprehensive plan to build airports that would create a massive opportunity for the economy in virtually every aspect of life. Instead what the airline policy indulged in was bartering away the existing routes instead of expanding the actual potential that Indian skies offer. The Namo government ought to rescind the notification that allows all past Chairman of Air India , its families and friends a free ride for ever ! This will set an example to curb unnecessary enthusiasm of the grab what you can mentality and prevent waste of national resources.

6. Approve 9 hotel projects in and around Indian cultural heritage locations. Commit to developing domestic tourism by building up and protecting Indian heritage , cultural sites and historical monuments which in turn will lead to development of hotel and hospitality industry. Again, Indian tourists are being courted and invited to various countries all over the world. While the infrastructure facilities overseas encourage Indians to travel abroad , the cost and inconvenience of domestic travels becomes painful. We have the ability and potential to build a robust tourism industry of not only international but also domestic. India has incredible opportunities to make tourism as essential part of development process. Take the example of New York City that became a marvelous example of global tourism with excellent facilities for all class of tourists and travelers plus safety and security of visitors accorded high importance. India's cultural heritage will contribute to economic boom.

7. Mandate that all infrastructure projects be compliant with the needs of the physically challenged. Once we do this we truly implement an inclusionary practice. In addition, to make India a truly inclusive society and country, the government must shift the focus from caste based job creation to skill based occupational growth and wealth creation. India needs to have its own people creating a Nike, an Adidas and wealth creation via Waste management practices Just as Bollywood and the sports industry recognizes a talent and performance based culture , likewise it must focus on talent and skill development in all aspects of life. Giving respect to what people do is more important than the caste they are born in. Creating respect and opportunity for work is critical rather than looking down on anyone for what they do. The focus commences on redefining the caste structure. Those who are in the Government at any level be called the new Brahmins. Those who are in homeland security functions whether in armed forces to police to quasi security agencies be called the warriors or khstriya. People in trade and commerce be called the banias and finally the service providers be called the Shudras , if at all ! The skill of a person will determine the function he performs and the training and learning will contribute to that persons effectiveness on the job he does.

8. Justice delayed is justice denied - we all know that. Issue instructions to set up 9 special courts to attend to cases pending over 5 years with mandated requirements for all involved parties to be present to close and arrive a verdict within a period of 90 days. If the involved parties cannot be prepared in 5 years time , they never will be. This will unburden the courts system with files and cases that we need not waste the peoples time and resources.

9. Job creation is the compelling issue affecting the youth of the country. We all know that it is not possible to instantly create jobs overnight yet the ground work must begin now. The specific industries that will attract investments will handle the availability of suitable candidates ,but the Government can instantly provide credits and incentives to those young men and women who join the armed forces , police forces and other agencies for homeland security. The training , recognizing the value of learning and performance will impact the youth positively and inculcate a sense of belonging whereby homeland security becomes the responsibility of every citizen of the country.

There is lot to be done and expectations are running wild. India is enjoying the ride of being on the technology leap. If we convert that energy into actions , we will the reap advantages of reaching our potential. At the moment we remain an unfulfilled ambition.

http://www.nalandainternational.org/index.php/all-articles/85-article-catergories/all-articles/727-the-9-point-100-days-action-plan-for-the-new-prime-minister-by-vibhuti-jha

Modi’s Visit To US: Being Pragmatic Or Going Soft?

Cowboys as portrayed by Clint Eastwood on screen and James “Sudden” Green in a popular series of books are fascinating characters in the realm if fiction. They shoot first and talk later, dispensing their brand of poetic justice. We do not want such characters leading nations. George Bush Jr. came close to being one and we all know how big a disaster he was. Same goes for electing so called Strongmen. Look at Putin in Russia. If the oil money was not pouring in Russia would be a disaster.

Since his first tenure as CM of Gujarat, Modi was looked upon as a strongman. He ruled the state like one. His detractors portrayed him as such. It suited their leftist agenda in portraying Modi as dictators who bulldozed people who were opposed to him. His supporters saw him different. We know that he is strong of character and disciplined like a soldier. He respects himself and others. He values his time and demands that others do the same. He works extremely hard and expects others to do the same. He is an unusual blend of a Yogi, a General, A Soldier, a Worker and a Farmer – a real life Karmayogi.

It is this Karmayogi avatar that is now becoming apparent even to his worst detractors. The English language media has nothing but praise for his style of working. His political enemies like Tharoor are offering their own brand of mea culpa. To them we say: we are glad that you finally see what we have seen all along.

Since his oath taking, some of his decisions have been unexpected. Appointment of Arun Jaitley, the consummate Delhi insider as the FM, appointment of a bitter detractor like Swaraj in MEA, appointment of Smriti Irani and Maneka Gandhi in their respective positions (they may perform well but no one can tell me that they were the most qualified for the job or had the seniority which forced Modi for such appointments). He invited Nawaz Sharif and Mahinda Rajapakse (both hated by two different set of voters). All this can be explained on the basis of political and administrative pragmatism. This is vintage Modi. He may be a tough guy who talks even tougher on the campaign trail. But at the end of the day, he will do what his job demands and what is right for India. He is a statesman and not a cowboy. This is why we support him. This is why we love him.

However the one decision that is not sitting well with some which includes us on this blog is his decision to go to the US and meet with the President. Under pressure from Left wing lunatics of Indian origin, white India baiters, confused academics, Muslim politicians, terrorist sympathizers (Ghulam Nabi Fai) and ignorant Christian conservatives, Modi was refused visa to go to US under a little known provision. That refusal was waved in Modi’s face incessantly by his detractors in and out of India. It was extreme humiliation for him. It was humiliation for his supporters who were “lost at sea” Hindu conservatives (lost at sea because except for Modi, the BJP leaders had transformed into Congress’ B-Team). I don’t know about Modi but we, the supporters want a strong statement made to the ill-meaning leftists and India hating foreign governments. Needless to say the news that he was going to go to the US later this year has left us confused and extremely angry.

Think about it. The US has still not removed Modi name from that frivolous list which got him the visa denial in the first place. Obama and Co. want him to come to US on a diplomatic visa. The US wants to enjoy the cake represented by India’s vast potential about to be unleashed. On the other hand they want to keep that leftist treasured rotten cake represented by the visa denial. Arrogant and myopic is what it is. I would also urge fellow conservatives to use the whole “US can allow murderous dictators on their soil so why not Modi” argument. It was counterproductive. Modi’s name cannot be uttered in the same breath as a terrorist like Yasser Arafat or terrorist sympathizer like King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. In fact, if some American conservative commentators are to be believed, the US does not have anyone to compare with Modi.

If I were Modi, I would send President Mukherjee to speak at the UN general assembly. I would engage with the US at all levels but not go there unless clear signals of “repentance” are seen. But that would not be pragmatic. Everyone has to deal with the US. That is the reality. On one hand the angry me wants to think of Modi’s impending visit to the US as a sign of weakness brought on by a desire to be accepted. But that is why Modi is where he is. He has a bigger responsibility that to avenge his honor or listen to angry supporters. If engaging with the US benefits India then he should swallow the petty put downs and do hard negotiating with the US. That would be the best revenge.

Before posting this, I read a report by Prof Nalapat which clearly states the kind of benefits India stands to get with Modi’s visit. If India benefits the way it says in the article then all will be forgiven. Living well, after all, is the best revenge.

Prof. Nalapat's article can be read at: http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/obama-will-offer-a-10-trillion-carrot-to-modi

Rapes In UP: Should Dalits Convert To Islam For Safety?

President Kennedy in a speech supporting the West Germans said “ Ich bin ein Berliner”. I am going to paraphrase it and say that I am writing this article as a dalit (even though I am not one – my caste is totally irrelevant to my ideas. What is of importance is that I am a Conservative Hindu Indian). I am extremely angry at the rapes and worse of hapless dalit girls in UP. This is not to say that girls of higher castes are spared but the ones belonging to the lower castes are being raped and killed by men of upper caste with a sense of entitlement. It is as if these girls are somehow less than human and thus okay to be treated as such. Like the Nazis treated the Jews or the Pakistanis treated Hindus in East Pakistan. It is this sense of entitlement combined with extreme cruelty which has left me confused and angry.

We on this blog have written a large number of posts on this and related topics. We have analyzed reasons for such heinous acts and our culpability in these crimes as a society. I am not going to go into it today. What I want to do is ask questions from a dalit point of view (an impossible task as I have no idea of the suffering that they go through but will try nevertheless).

Dalits have suffered unspeakable cruelty at the hands of people from upper caste. The incidences have gone down and the methods have become more subtle but the discrimination and the tormenting continues unabated. A cursory read of the Manusmriti is enough to convert any conscientious conservative Hindu into a liberal. For example it says : If he mentions the names and castes of the (twice born) with contumely, an iron nail, ten fingers long, shall be thrust red hot into his mouth. (Manu VIII. 271). No one does the aforementioned anymore but forcing a girl to drink acid comes pretty damned close.

Yet another newly empowered group of Hindus has joined the upper caste Hindus and seem to be outdoing them in cruelty. The OBC Hindus who have recently acquired political power are using it with impunity and cruelty. I have no authority or intention of casting aspersions on the entire OBC community. I would like to acknowledge that some of the tallest Hindu leaders including our respected PM belong to that community. I am not sure but I may also belong to the OBC community. However, OBCs in TN and UP empowered by the gundaraj of DMK and SP respectively have taken it upon themselves to victimize Hindu dalits in the worst possible ways. While DMK is on its way to the political dustbin, the Yadav clans of Western UP are creating the kind of terror that seems impossible without political backing or at the very least a wink and nod arrangement. Hell, the SP chief referred to rapes as mistakes by boys who will be boys. To top it all, the entire lower level police department in UP is filled with incompetent men who have bribed their way in. So I ask you. Do the dalits in UP have a prayer? Some unfortunate dalit’s daughter has been kidnapped. In an interview with the press, the man claims to know who has kidnapped her but he is helpless. His repeated visits and appeals to IG and DIG level officers have yielded nothing.

So how do these orphans of Hinduism protect themselves? They need to get some political leverage. Clearly the status quo is no good. Now what if they convert to Islam? If they do, they suddenly will become the chosen children of the Indian liberals, Congress, SP, BSP, Trinamul Congress, NCP, AIDMK, DMK and various Communist Parties.

So dear reader, do you like my suggestion? I as a dalit am totally helpless and this seems an easy way out. As it is, you have no room for me in your society. You can host Commonwealth games for over 25000 Crores rupees and yet our women have to go out to the fields for toilet purposes. Forget employment, home, education or health, at least keep me alive. Can you do that? You find it difficult to look at the pictures of our daughters raped and hung on a tree because it pains you. Imagine the kind of pain those two girls must have felt. Now I ask you once again - Should I convert to Islam? If not then what are you willing to do for me?

We as voters have failed them. Voting for the SP by a large margin in the last election was a cruel mistake which has since been rectified in the general elections. BJP has been voted in. Rajnath Singh is the new Home Minister. Instead of worrying about losing Internal Security to reorganization, the man should stand up and do something to protect the helpless. Clearly Akhilesh Yadav cannot do anything. Maneka Gandhi who is Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development (another rare mistake by Narendra Modi) should realize that it will take a lot more than offering platitudes to solve this problem. Feminists and women from the left who normally save their tears for Muslims and anger towards conservative Hindus need to step out and take matters in their hands.

As you can tell by my rants that I am angry and confused. I have been a faithful supporter of Bhai Narendra Modi and will continue to be that (may he win big in 2019 and 2024) but I want to see some concrete action on this matter. If Rajnath Singh is not going to do anything then Bhai Narendra needs to dispatch his man Friday, Amit Shah to UP. Maybe Shah can go to UP and win this battle as well as he did the last one.

Some articles on the topic are:

http://thenethindu.blogspot.com/2013/04/rapes-in-india-criminal-and-social.html

http://thenethindu.blogspot.com/2012/11/khap-panchayats-and-rapes-in-india.html

http://thenethindu.blogspot.com/2011/06/worship-durga-ma-kill-girls.html

http://thenethindu.blogspot.com/2011/12/evil-in-our-midst.html

http://www.bhagwanvalmiki.com/manu-smriti.html

The Perfect Role For Amit Shah

Roosevelt had Harry Hopkins. Churchill had Branden Bracken. De Gaulle had Gaston Palewski. Clinton had Dick Morris. Bush had Karl Rove. Even Manmohan Singh had Pawan Bansal. Men in power have enemies who need to be watched. Political leaders may not have mortal enemies but they do have rivals and competing power centers. Therefore every leader needs a right hand man – a man who would look out for his boss’ interests, preferable from behind the scene or from a low key post. This someone should be a movable piece with enormous value– a wildcard (poker), a trump card or a blank slate (scrabble). Proximity to the boss gives this man a lot of power.

Bhai Narendra Modi has moved from the safe confines of Gujarat to the slimy world of Delhi brand politics. To say that he has enemies is an understatement. His style of functioning (strong and decisive) makes the insiders and the Delhi schmoozer very nervous. He needs his own right hand man. There is only one man who fits that role and that is Amit Shah. Amit Shah has been a Hanuman to Modi’s Ram all these years. He is also an administrator extraordinaire as we have seen from the results of the past elections. To fix a role for Shah will be a disservice to the man’s talents and to Modi’s interests. If Shah becomes a minister then he gets tied in the ministerial works. He will not be able to look after party’s interests in the states. If he is made a Chief Minister somewhere then it is again a great disservice to his talents. If he is made the BJP chief, he will do well and win a lot of elections as he did in UP. But then he will be forced to stay out of the functioning of the central government. So what role should he be given?

The best role for him will be akin to that of the American Chief of Staff. In the US such a person is a cabinet rank person with close proximity to the President and ability to enforce the President’s agenda in all the departments. Shah could be appointed to the PMO with a minister level position. There he will be Modi’s point person is enforcement of his plans, tactical and strategic. Since he will not be in charge of any portfolio, he will have the freedom to go and work with the state level leaders of BJP and help them with elections. For example in UP, Shah has already established a winning formula and procedure to implement it. He does not need to be in UP all the time. He can appoint trusted people in the next UP elections and affect the same results. The same can be the case with Maharashtra or anywhere. In the PMO he can keep an eye on the functioning of the various ministries which are now being run by Modi supporters as well as erstwhile Modi baiters (like Swaraj). He can also ensure that the consummate Delhi insiders like Arun Jaitley stay the course and do personal favors for friends in Congress.

Shah has been a bête noire of the Indian left. They treat him like a mob enforcer rather than a political genius. That is their problem if they can’t handle the truth. He clearly is a man who is not given to political niceties and does what is necessary for the implementation of his Boss’ agenda. Since the country has elected Modi on development agenda, it is necessary that the focus of the administration does not get diverted. We need him in the shadows. He has to be Modi’s man Friday.