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Dr Manmohan Singh - Time to Write Full Facts-based History
- Published on 12 November 2022
(Image Courtesy: archivepmo.nic.in)
“I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament. I cannot divulge all things that take place in the Cabinet system of Government. I think, taking into account the circumstances, and the compulsions of a coalition polity, I have done as best as I could under the circumstances,” noted Dr Manmohan Singh.
Dr Singh stated this while answering a critical question at his last press conference as Prime Minister held on 3rd January 2014. Well time has come to revisit his contribution to India's growth story spanning over four decades.
Let TIOL Fiscal Heritage Award to Dr Singh serve as a signal to unearth unreported or forgotten facts that shed light on his persona.
Let the process of rewriting history on Dr. Singh begin right now. One can assess his role from 5 perspectives: 1) As an economist-official (policy maker) in government, 2) as Finance Minister, 3) as Prime Minister, 4) as statesman and 5) as human being.
In his first role that began in 1971 as Economic Advisor in Ministry of Foreign Trade (Commerce Department now), he worked well against odds within the Government system to get the growth wheel moving. And he did so while adjusting to the varying contours of political leaders at the helm of affairs. He fine-tuned his knowledge and experience on economic challenges in his role as policy facilitator.
Modiji’s LiFE Vision sets bar for Global Statesmanship
- Published on 27 October 2022
(Image Courtesy: PIB)
Mr. Narendra Modi has added a new feather to his cap as India’s best Prime Minister - an honour conferred repeatedly by India Today through its so-called Mood of the Nation Survey (MOTNS). The new feather is successful demonstration of his skill to periodically launch his same vision/idea on global platforms over the years. The proof of glittering success is evident in generous applause by global leaders each time Mr. Modi articulates his passion for Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE).
Global celebrities are getting captivated the Indian way: Millions of Indians like Mr. Modi’s mesmerising skill to launch at least twice the same scheme again at the National level. They take repackaging and rebranding of many schemes and ideas with Pradhan Mantri trademark in stride.The latest instance in point is the global launch of LiFE mission on 20th October 2022 at Statue of Unity jointly with visiting United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.
This is an idea that Mr. Modi has been preaching ever since he became PM. A content analysis of his speeches would show that he has been paraphrasing the concept at different events over the years.
In his maiden speech at United Nations General Assembly on 27th September 2014, he advocated: “We need to change our lifestyles, Energy not consumed is the cleanest energy.”
Revisit Constitution to Craft Bharat Jodo in Spirit and not via Symbolism
- Published on 02 October 2022
( Baba Amte's Jodo Bharat Abhiyan. Screenshot from Youtube)
“Jat Paat Ke Bandhan Toro, Bharat Jodo Bharat Jodo” (Break free from castes & sub-castes; Unite India).This is not a clarion call from Rahul Gandhi, who is leading Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) of the Congress Party. This slogan has also not germinated from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2021 vision “Bharat Jodo Andolan” (BJA).
This was one of the key slogans of an earlier KanyaKumari to Kashmir (KtoK) march led by late Baba Amte, a great social reformer, in 1986.
And there hangs a tale of many steps to unite India through long marches from South to North and From East to West over the decades. The other steps include initiatives to knit India through national policies, central and centrally sponsored schemes, pan-India projects and forums.
Mr. Modi has crafted alliterations, acronyms and rhymes to articulate ‘Bharat Jodo’ theme. A notable instance in point is GST-related “One nation. One Tax. One Market.” Another example is 'One Nation. One Ration Card'. And one in the works is 'One Nation. One Fertilizer'.
The Bharat Jodo story is also riddled with counter-currents that can be collectively dubbed as Bharat Todo (Divide India) mission.
Every ‘Knit India’ movement including BJP’s 1992 Ekta Yatra (Unity March) & 2006 Bharat Suraksha Yatra (India Security March) have failed to rein in fissiparous forces.
The key divisive, dangerous factors are: communalism, casteism, regionalism, parochialism & inter-state fights. More of this later in the column.
No significant political party would ever launch mass movement against such Bharat Todo tools. Can Congress or BJP embark on national padayatra (foot march) with a call to citizens to ‘Give up Caste’, ‘Give up Rituals’ and ‘Give up job Reservations’? Can any party come to power without playing caste and communal politics?
Tricolour & Parliament are Witness to Illusion named ‘Developed India’
- Published on 25 August 2022
('Developed Nation by 2020' is not a daydream - Vajpayeeji 15Aug2003 - Image Courtesy: PMO)
“In politics, one should have the courage to tell the truth to the public, but we see that in some states there is an attempt to avoid it,” stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30th July 2022. Mr. Modi said this while admonishing the States to clear dues of power generation companies.
Alas, our beloved PM himself missed a golden opportunity to show the courage to tell the truth on ‘Developed India’ resolve on 15th August 2022. He avoided the honour to use “Tricolour as the witness”, to borrow a recurring phrase from his Independence Day (ID) Speeches.
The National Flag at the Red Fort witnessed twice Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee vow to make India a ‘Developed Nation’ by 2020.
Similarly, President A. P. J. Abul Kalam articulated Mr. Vajpayee’s vision on two different solemn occasions. Mr. Modi lacked courage to disclose to citizens that BJP fought 2004 Lok Sabha polls with ‘Developed Nation’ promise embossed on the cover page of its manifesto.
And there hangs a long tale of quest to see India leap into league of rich nations – an idea that dates back to the Nehru era.
As Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, Dr Kalam, was perhaps the first high-ranking Govt representative to expound the concept of Developed India with specifying any timeline. He did it during October 1998 while delivering the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture-1998 organized by All India Radio.