MODI MASTAN OF GUJARAT

NARENDRA MODI PROVES TO BE TOUGH AGAIN

As the Gujarat election results came out, it has been proved yet again that the Congress party's tom-tom about the "communal face" of Narendra Modi has fallen flat.

The average citizen of Gujarat has enjoyed the delicious taste of development and communalism is hardly a subject matter worth reckoning for him. For Congress leaders, secularism apparently means enhanced funds for developing Madarasas, special treatment to Muslims and posing for shutterbugs by donning skull caps in Muslim dominated areas. But, Modi looked beyond such cosmetic steps to bag the average Muslim's confidence. No special treatment and no pumping in additional funds, but solid, concrete development to make their lives better. It is this equalitarian attitude towards all his citizens (not 'voters') that made Modi an acceptable face in the state.

Winning a consecutive third battle of ballots is a near-impossible thing, especially in these days of coalition politics, where the pushes and pulls from unfriendly allies takes the fizz out of power kick. For Manmohan Singh, a strong adherent to Coalition Dharma, following the issues agreed upon with the alliance partners is of paramount importance, rather than national interest.

But for Modi, who is the single-man Government in Gujarat, public administration is a cake walk, as he is clear with his strategies, coherent in his policy announcements, committed to his ideology and determined to implementation. As principal fetches princely interest when invested properly, the ten years of sincere administration has fetched him another five years of rule as 'interest'. His investment portfolio includes development agenda, welfare programmes, non-appeasement of any section of the society and keeping away unscrupulous elements known to create hatred in the name of religion, be they Hindus or Muslims.

The number of seats bagged and the vote share clearly surprises many, leaving indications that development-seeking Muslims too would have voted for him. The newly-enrolled voters would have clearly no idea of Godhra or post-Godhra riots and it has been the job of the Congress to keep the issue boiling. What other explanation can the party offer for failing to wrest power for the fifth consecutive time in Gujarat?

When the counting was still on, a senior union minister taunted him, saying that Modi magic did not work this time as the number of seats the BJP might win could be down from the corresponding figure in the last elections. And Modi surpassed it with ease, proving that the Congress strategists will have to do more than such hair-splitting analyses...!

Like the 3D campaign which he popularised during the polls, Modi's victory has a three-dimensional aspect i.e., single-handed effort to bring Gujarat  into the BJP's kitty, looking up to higher political aspirations for himself and last, but not the least, consolidating the slogan "Development more important than religion".

Armed with this thumping victory, Modi has silenced his critics and is now expected to cast an eye on the Delhi Gaddi...! I hear the energetic Modi shouting at the top of his voice, "Here I come, 2014...!"

My tryst with FDI...!

FDI in retail... A boon or bane?

With Wal Mart already having made its presence in several cities, we find it futile to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of FDI in retail. Now the point is to find a measured way of allowing (as if there is a chance to deny now?) FDI in India, so as to inflict minimum damage to our producers and reap the maximum benefit to our consumers.

It was in this connection that I recently delivered a lecture at SHREE Institute of Technical Education on the impact of FDI in India.

Here's the text:

I quote

"FDI is such a  complicated subject that even renowned economists and policy makers are not in a position to ascertain the pros and cons of it.

            Well there are too many expert speakers  who have plunged their heads into the issue to come out with a solution acceptable to all. As a journalist with business management background, I just give my individual opinion about how the policymakers could adopt a cautious approach to the issue.

There is no second opinion that FDI is good for economy, as the huge inflow of funds will augur development and usher in growth. The second point is that competition improves quality and is always beneficial to the end-user. It gives chance for the best available product in the market to become still better than what it was… When faced with a threat, man should see an opportunity in it and choose 'n' number of options for survival. It is this instinct that makes him constantly go for innovation. The threatened entities face the heat and look for opportunities for survival that is common in the competition-ridden world.

The negative side is also there. When the floodgates are opened in one go, the friendly neighbourhood kirana outlets to small time traders to street vendors will be directly exposed and will be washed away in the gush. The rule is to have a level playing field between two rivals  competing in any game. A ‘Bakka Ramanna’ (metaphor for the scrawny little trader) can not be allowed to fight a ‘Bakasura’, for surely the former will die a pathetic death. So, it is here that the policymakers will have to step in and play a crucial role in ensuring sufficient protection, at least in the initial days, till the reality dawns and the ‘Bakka Ramanna’ braces up for the fight to the finish.

Agreed, some of you may ask that when we have already allowed large supermarkets and malls such as the Reliance Mart, Heritage Fresh, Spencer’s, Big Bazar, etc. thus creating competition, why not FDI? Yes, a small fish Vs a big fish in a tank is ok… a small fish vs a whale?   Even the so-called big fish is threatened by the entry of shark or whale.. right?

A hare in a forest is eaten by a dog, which again is eaten by the tiger. That's the rule of the jungle and every creature is constantly on the run. But this is a society, not Jungle Raj. The constitution and the Government have a responsibility to protect every man in the community.

There is nothing like allowing or not allowing now. The question is to take a comprehensive view, adopt a holistic approach of the pros and cons, safety of the products being thrust on us, manpower being imported and take a step by step approach. Once damage done at the policy level can not be undone and a comprehensive view has to be taken before letting things get out of hand.

I wish you all success".
I unquote...