Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Modi’s vision of ‘Ideal India’' that was published in Newsband

Modi’s vision of ‘Ideal India’

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a developed, corruption-free India. He wants a New India free of casteism, terrorism, corruption and nepotism by 2022. He said this in his Independence Day address. His vision for the future is one in which farmers’ income would double and where youth and women would have many more opportunities. His achievements are steps toward a happier, more secure future for the country. Demonetisation, the Goods and Services Tax are the movement toward a digital economy. He went so far as to ask terrorists to join the mainstream.

The speech seemed directed entirely at the domestic audience, with the focus largely on development and a reliance on technology-enabled solutions to transform the country over the next five years. It is very clear that Modi sees himself as serving a second term.

The PM is in an ambitious mode. He wants to make the second term secure for him to be back on the saddle of power. Demonetization, GST and pursuit of digitization are good moves and shows promise of fetching bonanzas. Sizable section of the people are impressed by the promises the ruling party spreads. Elimination of corruption and ensuring transparency are good intentions. It is high time for PM to convert the pleasant future that he talks about into pleasant present. His idea about making peace with the neighbours is appreciated.

Someone is definitely working hard to help Modi prepare well for all his "great" speeches, and whoever he/she may be - must be studying hard from History - looking at the likes of Abraham Lincoln, JF Kennedy, Cromwell, Churchill ... to name a few. It is misplaced to expect the CEO of the country to provide road map for his vision of the future India in an Independent day address. He did give enough points how corruption and black money are being and would be addressed. So also the role of women and youth in new India was stated by him. His targeting 2022 is based on current political scenario where Opposition is in doldrums more busy in protecting their dynasty and illegal assets camouflaged by obsolete slogans like secularism and inclusivity than in championing an alternative narrative to the vision of Modi's BJP government thereby giving a feeling that people of India will give him a second chance in 2019 to implement his vision.