India does need a ‘MODI’fication

(Disclaimer: I am not a political expert. The views expressed should, if at all, be assessed from a layman’s perspective)

The Indian middle class (especially the youth) may have found a hero in Mr. Narendra Modi long back but the prospects of anticipating him leading our nation were dismal as many people are still infuriated over his alleged complicity or inaction in the 2002 Gujarat riots. But his abrupt elevation to the national dais recently has taken his detractors by surprise like a stone under tooth. I know it is too early to predict anything but it seems now almost impossible to cease the Modi juggernaut.

First things first. I am not postulating that he is the best leader our country can ever have, but majority of the people will concur with me that he is better than the rest.

So what encouraged me, a 23-year old guy who is yet to vote (embarrassed), blog about him?

It is the same four-letter word that every other youth envisages with him - HOPE, hope to the people of India that here is a decisive, undaunted, stout and resolute pioneer who has the ability to lead them out of gloominess.

There is nothing new in the fact that the Indian populace is really pissed off and growing restless with the increasing inflation rates, quotidian corruption scams, declining growth and a detached government in denial. Troubled with the backward drift and paralyzed state, the aam aadmi is desperately questing for a staunch and stern leader which Mr. Modi distinctly symbolizes.  

But alas, the numbers are against him. In my opinion, it is the media (and not to forget his opposition) which should be held responsible for bringing his name into bad repute again and again. He is definitely hounded by media for 11 years in spite of a mandate by the people of his state for three consecutive terms (which constitutes of people other than Hindus as against as his defamers who project him to have support only from hardcore Hindu fanatics). What is the point of bringing the issue and inculpating him for the pogrom again and again even after being vindicated by the apex court? For instance, there is something interesting which I noticed during the media coverage of the anointment of Mr. Modi. There was a sudden sympathy for Mr. Advani from people who once considered him their bete noire. Other than the 2002 massacre, they didn’t find a single point like his connection to any scam or inefficiency in his government to malign his character.

Coming back to the original point, what is in him that distinguishes him from the rest? Any political leader today fears to take a decision apprehending repercussions which may injure his/her vote bank. Modi balances nothing. He doesn't fear to take decisions even if it harms his stature. He is something which the young generation wants from the new India - prompt decision making, quick result oriented policies, no concern of the odds against it. The way he motivates the masses through his sonorous speeches is worth listening to.

But every temptation has a price. Modi has a clear downside. He is an authoritarian, accountable to none. He is famous for being obstinately unapologetic about his communal past. He doesn't care about image building which in turn works against him.

There will be a clear cut dilemma for Indian masses in 2014 - whether to choose good governance and prosperity or communal harmony and domestic security. Will he succeed? I have no clue. The road is tough and it is not going to be an easy cup of tea but as Modi himself said, “ Mana Ki Andhera Ghana Hai, Par Diya Jalana Kahan Mana Hai”. (Agreed there is immense darkness but what prevents us from lighting the lamp?)

TIME HEALS !!!

Now that I have learnt to keep my emotions aside and be more practical in my outlook, I can claim that time does heal; provided we give time to it. Because only when we are through the healing process, we realize why, how and where the things went wrong; whether to inculpate the circumstances which prevailed that time or ourselves. We are in a habit of blaming others for our miseries and often tend to ignore that we ourselves can also be the reason behind them.

I "usually" considered myself a good person, one that takes others' feelings into consideration. I am not selfish. But now when I ponder, I realize that there have been times where I thought I was doing the right thing but actually I overlooked that I may have been hurting someone in the process.

There is(or was I don't know) a particular person in my life whom I hurt because I wanted to protect. At least this was what I told myself. Now when I look back, I understand that the only person I wanted to protect was myself - protect myself from any worries that I might have faced if that person ran into troubles. We feel it is normal to make decisions which we think are the best for the ones we love only to realize later that we were doing what was best for us. I did this more than once but finally at the end I had to pay the price for it. It was the time in my life when my options were limited and instead of fighting for what I wanted, I chose to walk away. In nutshell, I escaped the situation rather than dealt with it. I thought I was protecting someone I cared for but the only person I was protecting was me. 

After a lot of self-contemplation and soul-searching, I have owned up to my faults but I guess I won't be getting a chance to apologize to the person I had hurt. The choices and decisions I made back then had haunted me for a long time (and I guess will continue to do so) but I am trying to seek closure from that experience.

I always thought time would heal the profoundest wounds. Now I can vouch for the fact that wounds don't heal themselves unless we address them. We, instead, try to ignore them and push them so deep that we somehow convince ourselves that we are alright. I too thought I had healed but actually I was eluding them. For the first time I have started healing. It is not easy but I am getting there. It has made me wiser, stronger and more intellectual who believes that time can heal even the deepest of wounds because there is always a reason behind every occurrence in our life...!!!

Remember, 

"Hum sab to rangmanch ki kathputliyan hain jiski dor upar waale ke haathon mein hai"

(We are just puppets of a stage who are controlled by our masters sitting above)