Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Modi just needs support of all Indians to build a ‘New India’' that was published in Newsband

Modi just needs support of all Indians to build a ‘New India’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day. He offered hope to all and offended none. Modi is indeed a brilliant orator. Modi renewed the emphasis on fighting corruption, starting from the top. Modi expressed his dream of a Digital India, where people are united by information technology. Even as the ‘Make in India’ initiative is just beginning to gather steam, Modi has introduced a new catchphrase: ‘Start-up India, Stand up India’. He mentioned the importance of raising farm productivity, and providing electricity and irrigation facilities to farmers. Modi is indeed trying to find the resources to give concrete shapes to his words.

The unfair expectations from the Modi government, particularly in regards to the very chronic problems of India, such as corruption, which no past government has been able to solve to any degree and asking the Modi government to solve them in any significant way, in his first year, is just being immature and naive.

The Prime Minister can make all the promises he or she wants before elections. However to keep these promises, he or she needs a Council of Ministers and government that is totally corrupt free, "totally" means, totally without the slightest tinge of corruption or misdemeanours or wrongdoings. Decisive action needs to be taken at all levels to achieve this objective. There is only one way to eradicate or to start eradicating corruption - one needs to be ruthless with no compromises. Only then will the Opposition be silenced, the various arms of Government be galvanized, and progress be made towards any development.

An overwhelming majority in Parliament means nothing except perhaps a few legislators enjoying the perks of power for 5 years. The government in power needs to enjoy the confidence of the nation as a whole to gain any measure of progress.

Modi has done more than what other PM's did in one year of their office. Indians across the globe feel proud to be Indians today. Developed countries’ expectation have increased manifold. Modi on his part is undoubtedly trying his best to deliver on his promise. All he needs is the support of the people who have voted him.