For PM Modi, the poor have no morality!

In a capitalist, free economy, Startup India has shown that the right idea is your ticket to success and possibly becoming a millionaire. It’s about following your dreams and not about the moolah. A couple of months ago, auto-rickshaw driver Manilal Gohil used his savings to buy a rifle for his daughter, a national-level shooter. US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton embraced her legacy as the daughter of a woman who once earned $3 a week as housekeeper. The homegrown brand Nirma started in the backyard of founder Karsanbhai Patel, who sold it door to door in the initial period. Google Jyothi Reddy and words “labourer to CEO” pop up.

I remember losing my wallet at New Delhi Railway Station and being left with no money to pay the coolie. Rajesh, the coolie, offered me cash since I would need it on the way. When I called my father to tell him, he remarked, “Sharafat (integrity) doesn’t only belong to those with money.” It’s this “sharafat” that is our legacy and, hopefully, soap opera style speeches are not going to put a dent in that.

To end with another iconic Bachchan dialogue from Deewar, “Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahin uthata (I don’t pick up money that’s thrown at me)”… and neither should India’s poor. 

 (The writer is an editorial consultant and co-founder of The Goodwill Project. She tweets @anuvee)