The upbeat sentiment surrounding the Modi government is still in the air but a caution seems to be creeping up on it. Reports assessing one year performance of the BJP led govt give an overall optimistic feedback. This seems debatable as the criteria for assessment and the weights attached to these are to a fair extent, subjective. Until now the focus has been on economic growth. As much as it is important to fuel the engine of production and consumption , the social culture based on gender, religion and democratic rights should not be overlooked as it dictates the quality of life in a country.
During the central elections the major criticism for BJP led government was based on imposition of its Hindutva ideology if it came to power. A growing string of events have given ground to such fears and the govt has been passive in dealing with them which shows nonchalance towards protection of minority rights or a latent affirmation of these events which is what probably fueled the audacity of the misdoers in the first place.
If we had to enlist the ideal qualities in the PM of India ,it would be a long comprehensive list, one which cannot be fathomed in one person alone. So, the issues and goals motivating the leader himself are more likely to be highlighted and dealt with on an average. Modi is thus perceived as a businessman holding the political reigns of the country. This perception has in effect excused him from the increasing identity politics. The array of foreign investments they boast about have come at the cost of rising communalism and sexism. A look at the Brazilian state of affairs and the demerits of 'unaimed opulence' get clearer.
Acche din will flourish when the leaders learn to run a model of inclusive growth. In essence,the Modi govt needs to start viewing the citizenry as a nation rather than an economy only.
Following are some of the key issues discussed to analyse the govt's performance:
Green zone:
-Jan Dhan Yojana
-Increased FDI flows
-Deregulation of Diesel
-Coal and telecommunication auctions
Red Zone:
-Church attacks
-Gujarat reservations
-Beef bans
-Sexist statements of MLAs
Yellow zone:
-Passing of Land aquistion bill?
-Passing of GST?
-Sustainability of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan?
-Increase in social sector expenditure?
-Development and expansion of rail links?
-Banning of Nirbhaya documentary?
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
*insert catchy cryptic title*
Part I: Donkey Kong
She knew it meant nothing. There were days that melted into nothingness and there was no guilt in the time lost for she realized the purposelessness of life.When she got busy,time wasn't enough and the purpose was too pressing. However,there were times it felt 'right' to be alive;there were times of effortless joy. The load of idleness was too heavy on her existence and the rest seemed forced. There were things she enjoyed which she could do but knew she shouldn't so she wouldn't.
It was chaotic. There were peers who were burning the midnight oil,friends who were on a roll and family that was always bustling around happily. And then there was Steve Jobs. There will always be a Steve Jobs;either you get inspired or self-abhorrent or with some of the blissfully idiotic,wish you had enough room in your garage. So lo behold, after much ado about nothing ,she was looking around for a job which was also forced but came with the bait of cash.
One frustrated day at this hour, she chanced upon a golden thought:she was a donkey. Like the donkey she was toiling away for the master, the society. It wasn't the dreaded nihilism or the start of a guerrilla warfare of artists feared by the elders.It was an economist's tale,the minimization of purpose and effort subject to a purposeless life. It was a realization, a rational thought tarnished by institutionalization, an awakening too simplistic to be an epiphany.
Life's mysterious for its evasive in comprehension,it makes you believe in a pattern only to complicate it further. You go back and forth and estimate the portions of the right condiments only to realize, this time you are in a different dish. So maybe its best to learn to savour the variety of cuisines life has to offer because either way you have to eat.
Well that's too submissive and morose,atleast for my liking . And a little donkeyish. Better get the 007 formula..
She knew it meant nothing. There were days that melted into nothingness and there was no guilt in the time lost for she realized the purposelessness of life.When she got busy,time wasn't enough and the purpose was too pressing. However,there were times it felt 'right' to be alive;there were times of effortless joy. The load of idleness was too heavy on her existence and the rest seemed forced. There were things she enjoyed which she could do but knew she shouldn't so she wouldn't.
It was chaotic. There were peers who were burning the midnight oil,friends who were on a roll and family that was always bustling around happily. And then there was Steve Jobs. There will always be a Steve Jobs;either you get inspired or self-abhorrent or with some of the blissfully idiotic,wish you had enough room in your garage. So lo behold, after much ado about nothing ,she was looking around for a job which was also forced but came with the bait of cash.
One frustrated day at this hour, she chanced upon a golden thought:she was a donkey. Like the donkey she was toiling away for the master, the society. It wasn't the dreaded nihilism or the start of a guerrilla warfare of artists feared by the elders.It was an economist's tale,the minimization of purpose and effort subject to a purposeless life. It was a realization, a rational thought tarnished by institutionalization, an awakening too simplistic to be an epiphany.
Life's mysterious for its evasive in comprehension,it makes you believe in a pattern only to complicate it further. You go back and forth and estimate the portions of the right condiments only to realize, this time you are in a different dish. So maybe its best to learn to savour the variety of cuisines life has to offer because either way you have to eat.
Well that's too submissive and morose,atleast for my liking . And a little donkeyish. Better get the 007 formula..
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
A Happy Victory
Today is an inspirational day for the aam admi. AAP beat the political veterans,BJP and Congress by a wide margin ,67-3-0 respectively. I found it quite unexpected. Probably because the system is such that one feels words speak louder than actions. The city seemed to be awash with a 'Modi wave' following his sweeping victory in the central election. Indeed the BJP was trying to put their best foot forward with women leading the Republic Day Parade, publicizing Obama and Modi's chemistry,Swatch Bharat Abhiyan,meeting foreign leaders etc. Seems like a party actively working for the country. Pick up the microscope and you see chaos behind the scenes.
Secularism should be an implicit understanding for leaders of a pluralist democratic state instead casteism is BJP's septre. Vandalizing churches,saying "boys will be boys" in response to women's safety and urging Hindu women to bear at least four children isn't the mark of a healthy party let alone compassionate.
Aam Admi loaded with their idealistic notions and well intentioned young members is not devoid of flaws including being more activist in nature than exhibiting leadership. However, for all their mistakes on thier 2 year short journey, their agenda, to sincerely serve the people and improve the city,has remained steadfast. While the big shots 'swept' gathered dirt in the middle of clean Rajpath roads,the AAP members picked up the jhadoo for good use and sweeped away to clean the city. The saffron brigade took over the city with their aggressive and also offensive campaigning while AAP campaigned for themselves not against others , judiciously using their limited human and monetary capital. These small things resonate with the common man and his needs and desires. Whether one lives in a sprawling bungalow or a slum dwelling,we all want our city to progress ergo 67/70.
This day also marks goodwill and hard work reigning over shrewdness and 'andha paisa'.
Good luck to AAP and hope they bring the change we all wish to see.
P.S. As for Mrs Bedi and Shazia Ilmi, I guess its part of human nature to be opportunist,its only rational. However, what's irrational is considering the common man as herded cattle.
P.P.S. If the lakhs they spent on getting an advertisement published on the front page of a national newspaper,in violation to the code of conduct on election day,was instead spent on building winter shelters for the homeless,it wouldn't have been an utter waste of public money.
P.P.P.S. I had written a mail to AAP regarding negative publicity towards their party. I not only got a prompt response but liked how they retaliated by defensive campaigning and didn't resort to dirty political war play.
Secularism should be an implicit understanding for leaders of a pluralist democratic state instead casteism is BJP's septre. Vandalizing churches,saying "boys will be boys" in response to women's safety and urging Hindu women to bear at least four children isn't the mark of a healthy party let alone compassionate.
Aam Admi loaded with their idealistic notions and well intentioned young members is not devoid of flaws including being more activist in nature than exhibiting leadership. However, for all their mistakes on thier 2 year short journey, their agenda, to sincerely serve the people and improve the city,has remained steadfast. While the big shots 'swept' gathered dirt in the middle of clean Rajpath roads,the AAP members picked up the jhadoo for good use and sweeped away to clean the city. The saffron brigade took over the city with their aggressive and also offensive campaigning while AAP campaigned for themselves not against others , judiciously using their limited human and monetary capital. These small things resonate with the common man and his needs and desires. Whether one lives in a sprawling bungalow or a slum dwelling,we all want our city to progress ergo 67/70.
This day also marks goodwill and hard work reigning over shrewdness and 'andha paisa'.
Good luck to AAP and hope they bring the change we all wish to see.
P.S. As for Mrs Bedi and Shazia Ilmi, I guess its part of human nature to be opportunist,its only rational. However, what's irrational is considering the common man as herded cattle.
P.P.S. If the lakhs they spent on getting an advertisement published on the front page of a national newspaper,in violation to the code of conduct on election day,was instead spent on building winter shelters for the homeless,it wouldn't have been an utter waste of public money.
P.P.P.S. I had written a mail to AAP regarding negative publicity towards their party. I not only got a prompt response but liked how they retaliated by defensive campaigning and didn't resort to dirty political war play.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)