Slightly different idea

Even though the general elections are a year away, there are a lot of discussions going on about it amongst scholars, journos, religious heads, party spokespersons, party workers, general public and the rest. The big question of who should govern our country for five years after the elections is finding its way into most conversations. Well, it’s a good trend. People need to be aware of the on- goings, for that is how they can develop a sense of judgment within them. It can be agreed that having correct facts and figures is a requisite for any good judgment. But, sometimes emotions run high and people look beyond their judgement. As we are observing, debates are raging for and against 'Narendra Modi for PM'. Many people think that he is the man with the right idea to run the country, despite many more people thinking otherwise.

We all know that Narendra Modi has carved a niche for himself in one field- Development of the Gujarat state. Though I have not seen or experienced the state myself, it has been a general consensus among scholars and general public that he has a done pretty incredible job out there. The man Modi himself quotes a lot of figures and percentages (invariably the good things range 50-100% and the bad ones are <10 %). So, we can safely agree that the man is good at that job. The credibility is thus established. 

The Indian need:

We Indians are simple people and our needs are also simple. Some common needs are 24 hour electricity, good water supply, garbage free outdoors, good roads, transportation facilities etc. Some other people may add scam free government, reduced prices, job creation through industrial development, health facilities to all, markets for agricultural produce, uplifting tribal groups, saving traditional occupations,  improving educational facilities etc.

Solution:

It is common sense itself that if there is an exceptional cook, then we need to give him spices, vegetables, herbs, ladles and stoves and not wood, saws, nails or glue. So, instead of making Narendra Modi the PM (if at all NDA comes to power), they should leave him do what he is good at. They should create a new ministry for him and call it Ministry of States Development (if there is one such already, then please give this one a catchier name). This ministry should be headed by Narendrabhai and he must be allowed to choose his team. They must be given sufficient resources, grants, people as and when required. This ministry must have instant access to data from all the other ministries. And now they have only one thing to do.

The ministry’s unique purpose ought to be the development of two states per year to the maximum extent possible. So, it’ll be 10 states’ development in 5 years. But, not all states require development from scratch in our country . So, among the 2 states taken up each year, one must compulsorily be a north eastern state. Perhaps a subcommittee for development of the union territories can also be set up. All in all, 10 underdeveloped states- 5 north eastern and 5 from mainland India along with the union territories are put on the track of development by a man who is the expert.

What will happen at the end of 5 years? Modi would have done what he is best at. These 10 states which had little hope of seeing any radical changes would have transformed. Critical states which needed urgent attention would have received them. Importantly, people will become happier.

Also the major responsibility of running the top post will be vested in some sweet angrez speaking leader, who goes around the world shaking hands, drinking champagnes and inking pacts while development is being taken care of in the country. 

Windies- Back for good?

In this year’s IPL, we didn’t need a microscopic analysis to realize that it was the West Indies players who had performed exceptionally. Whatever they did, they did it big. It was perhaps the T20 World Cup victory last year that boosted their confidence to such high levels that the need for thinking and introspecting vanished from the team.

Most IPL franchises too were first in picking the Windies. Some went extra lengths to retain them. Though Gayle, Rampaul are the players we Bangaloreans show a special support to or rather revere, we just could not miss Bravo, Pollard, Sammy, Narine, Cooper and others. Most of the Windies featured in the inexhaustible list of awards instituted by the IPL and its rich sponsors- Player with most runs, most wickets, most sixes, best catch, most valuable player and even the best dance. The West Indies have managed to capture the attention of us all.

It is not just the way they played the game, but also the way the wins are celebrated that has especially won hearts. A West Indian doing the Korean gangnam was mimicked by our own Bhangra specialist Bhajji. What more could we Indians ask for?

I grew up listening to elders at home make tall claims of the Windies’ dominance in cricket a few decades ago. Well, I’m glad I’m from the time where we are witnessing the revival of the Windies and seeing the players strive to restore the team’s former glory. They are no doubt gaining relevance.

But, amidst the tall West Indians were dwarfed, our own Indians like the Amit Mishras, the Piyush Chawlas and the Dinesh Karthiks. The BCCI must not forget the original intent of the IPL and must look beyond the creamy players and the fat bucks and think about retaining India's World Champ status.