Modi must deliver on promises

Modi's rule promises clean governance but it is important that the national loss caused by corruption in the years gone by is probed into, to create a deterrent for any further scams that any occur.

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Modi must deliver on promises
Prime Minister narendra Modi addressing the nation on Independence day

DC Pathak
DC Pathak

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech from Red Fort reconnected him with the people after brief spell during which he seemed to have gone behind the curtain to take charge of India's governance.

His extempore address was a refreshing first in a long time in so far as it left behind the stereotype sequencing of foreign, economic and domestic policy reiterations and spelt out the 'big picture' that he wanted India to head for.

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The three focal points of what turned out to be Modi's direct interface with the citizens was an emphasis on the politics of development around which he had organised his election campaign, concern for the poor that he was able to express with a degree of personal sensitivity not seen with his predecessors, and a clear thrust on national pride that he wanted all Indians to bring forward in whatever they did in the service of Bharat Mata.

Everything he said fitted into this framework. His short references to foreign policy made a special mention of goodwill towards our immediate neighbours and gave out the message that he wanted peace all around so that there was no distraction from the nation building agenda.

Centralisation

This agenda though is not going to be easy to work on. A degree of centralisation of authority at the national level is badly required. Now that this has been achieved, hopefully there will be better delivery of development projects that will set off by the Government of India. However, the challenge remains of fixing accountability of state and local authorities not only for execution of schemes and policies but also for law and order. This remains basic for the nation to further progress.

In the past, the federal structure has been severely damaged by the unseemly fragmentation of the party system, and the rise of politics based on caste, creed and regionalism add to this challenge. The Centre cannot relax on creating an atmosphere of probity, recognition of merit, and stern dispensation of justice. Modi's rule promises clean governance but it is important that the national loss caused by corruption in the years gone by is probed into, to create a deterrent for any further scams that amy occur.

Ways have to be found to get states to restore their credibility on the law and order front. Progress on this should first start with the national capital, where the Centre should do its utmost to make Delhi 'the rape Capital' a safe and secure city. For this, the Government of India need to evaluate the performance of All India Service officials in this sphere. Guidelines must be set and targets maintained if this is to occur.

The Prime Minister's call for 'digitalistation' and a 'clean and 'skill based' India that becomes the hub of manufacture is a doable task. However, if this has to become the goal in the 'medium' term, the necessary fiscal, economic and international policies have to be put in place. Already though, it is a matter of satisfaction that Modi's emphasis on inter-ministerial coordination is showing results. FDI in manufacture, infrastructure and defence will help create jobs, improve school education and primary health in rural India. Finally, the appeal for eliminating gender bias coming from the Prime Minister on Independence Day is an important step towards enhancing the dignity of women in India.

Prime Minister narendra Modi addressing the nation on Independence day
Prime Minister narendra Modi addressing the nation on Independence day
Security

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There were many positives but also shortcomings in Modi's speech. The PM would have done well to say something more on the national security situation. Indians are as concerned with security as they are with growth. The Pak-Afghan belt is an area of rising threat to our security. Our borders will have to be protected with all our might and for this our security set up urgently needs upgradation to deal with internal and external threats in our neighbourhood.

In the context of the Maoist threat, the Prime Minister rightly urged the youth to come forward and talk about their grievances rather than taking to guns under anybody's influence.

Hope

The Independence Day address of the Prime Minister recreates the environ of hope that should help the cause of the ruling party in the assembly elections that are coming up in the next few months.

By admitting that he was a person of humble origin who did not belong to the Delhi-based "elite" that had ruled the country, Prime Minister Modi added to his mass appeal with the common man. In many ways, he scored a first from the rampart of Red Fort by using the occasion to set the direction for India under his watch, present a blueprint of his economic mission, and emphasise the value systems the nation needs to adopt in the period ahead.

The writer is a former Director, Intelligence Bureau