AN OPEN LETTER TO PM MODI
Dear Prime Minister Modiji,
Last year, when all were looking at your one-year report card, we felt it was too short a time to really judge. Now you have completed two years. One cursory glance at the report card and we fear that if the same trend continues, next year’s report card will be marked red.
First and foremost, let me feel thankful that this year, at least the last couple of months, you have been more in India than abroad. That’s a very good feeling. I don’t know how you feel about spending so much time at a stretch in India; that’s a first too for you.
Coming back to the report card, it is not that you have not done anything. Some important Bills have been passed – the Bankruptcy Bill, legitimized Aadhaar – the biggest initiation for reforms, passed the Realty Bill but most important of all – the GST and the Land Reforms bill remains in cold storage.
There is no doubt the Govt is trying to do a lot like crop insurance, Jan Dhan, bringing in more FDI, its move on spectrum sharing, but if you see, we are scampering to find things done. The grand jubilation and hope that welcomed you in 2014 is sadly fast waning.
On the ground, people constantly jibe each other with “achche din” every time prices rise or when things are not going right. Maybe you brought in so much hope that people thought change will come immediately; it is two years now and there is really no change for the man on the street. Employment continues to remain a contentious issue. ‘Make in India’ is tag line and the Govt probably realizes now the challenges ahead to get this going.
Even in UP, where you won with the most thumping win, the candle of hope is diminishing. The most touted promise of cleaning up Ganga and transforming Varanasi is yet to take off. Swachcha Bharat is once again a mere slogan – people simply have lost the will.
I think when you came to power, people expected rapid economic development. Currently we are seeing nothing on that front. Yes, more roads are being built but sadly, the quality remains a huge suspect.. that somehow has not changed at all. Irony of it all – people do not have jobs so where do the new roads lead them?
On the GST Bill, which alone can boost consumer and industry confidence in you, maybe you need to climb down, talk to the UPA and try to break this grid lock of the Parliament. This one test you pass in the third year and your entire report card will change!
Modiji as you look back at the year gone by, surely you see a pile of broken dreams. Yes, you are stuck in a trap of expectations, which were set by you. Modiji, I seriously think you need to rethink where you want to take this “Make in India”. World over, right since ancient times; as you will be very well aware , Indians are known for their proficiency in things which require a lot of intellect, a lot of creativity. Excelling in mathematics, science and art is in our dna, we are genetically endowed with these skills. So when we have this strength of brain power and creativity, why do you want to make it all about brainless factory work? Why can’t your “Make in India” be all about making India an R&D hub for the world? Let China make things while India can create things which China can make? Doesn’t that automatically put us in a higher position – brain is always right at the top.
Modiji, at the same time, I feel you should channelize all your energies into revitalizing the Indian agriculture sector. The drought this year is a scream of help from our country, urging people to urgently adopt water conservation measures. Why not measures on this front?
Am sure you have the foresight but yet, let me tell you that later in the world, only those who have abundant water and food will rule the world. Let’s work on that.
And Modiji, it would be nice to see you smile and laugh, hug people the way you do when abroad. It will humanize you; currently you come forth as being inaccessible.
Well, 21st June is round the corner and we hope to see you make more moves on the yoga mat!
Thanks and wishing you all the best for times ahead.
Regards
Ruma Dubey