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
Thanks for telling 9 point about new indian government its good information for everyone.
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