Six Solid Ways In Which We Can Keep India United And Integrated

Some events of the last few decades and years don’t augur well for the unity and integrity of India.

Islamists Want a Caliphate in India! Groom Another Set of Leaders to Counter it!

The rise of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Taliban and its inroads into the Indian youth's mind pose a serious threat and challenge to the survival, unity and integrity of India.

The How and What of Winning the 2019 General Elections

Three years since winning the 2014 General Elections, there is a sense of wariness and disappointment amongst the supporters of BJP that the leadership has not succeeded in capitalising the gains and advantages that have flown in since the 2014 victory. 

Kashmir's Accession to India is Undisputable; India Cannot Afford to Lose the Kashmir War

Pakistan as a state was formed on the basis of religion, whereas India was formed on the basis of equality and acceptance for all religions.

How to Minimise Casualties in Strife-torn Insurgent-Militant hit Areas

Let's get some basic facts correct. India is a heterogeneous nation, with over 28 main languages and over 1,500 dialects. It is multi-ethnic, it is multi-religious and to top it all it is caste-ridden, not to mention the growing number of OBCs, STs and SCs.

Modiji’s Equanimity in the Midst of the Compulsions of Indian Politics

The compulsions of politics often prevent a leader to take certain decisions that may not be popular but may definitely be in the public interest. However, this remains the crux of the matter. Leaders emerge or are elected from within their party to precisely serve and protect the public interest.

Martial Arts and Adventure Sports Are A Nation's Guts and Nerves

India has historically been a martial country and Indians a martial race. It was during the conquests of India by the Mughals and the Britishers  that the innate Indian spirit for adventure and manly sports was doused as the colonisers did not want an assertive colonised polity.

The World Will Stand Up To China's Aggression; China's Misadventure Against India Could Cost it Dearly

The recent tweet by a Chinese State TV channel that Chinese ground troops could enter New Delhi in 48 hours or Chinese paratroops could land in India in 10 hours flat should not be taken lightly. The Chinese are testing the waters through their front organisation to the effect that they want to assess what the Indian reaction is.

How Does One Contain The Collateral Damage Due To Demonetisation?

From a mid-term perspective covering 1-2 years, the overall effects of demonetisation could be deleterious and dent the GDP of the economy by 1 per cent-2 per cent. However, if one looks through the pink glass, not all is bad with demonetisation, and as was said in the earlier post, the benefits are enormous.

Has Modiji Hit a Self Goal by Demonetisation?

In two-and-a-half years' time since Modiji came to power in May 2014, he has become a more humane, humble, accommodating and introspective person. Modiji cannot be faulted for his intention or motive: by and large despite the pain and suffering inflicted on the common man post demonetisation on November 8, people believe that his intention and motives were noble---to take the country to a more honest, inclusive and transparent financial system.

The Trump Presidency: India Should Align with the US with Cautious Optimism

Donald Trump, the astute American real estate billionaire, has now muzzled his way to the White House as US-President elect. Trump is a man who has used the gift of the gab to his fullest advantage. He knows the public is swayed by well-timed words, and he chose his words to the hilt in the primaries.

International Diplomacy: Fence Sitters are fair game for Poachers

In international diplomacy, there is a famous and old saying: Great power politics is murky, dinghy and dangerous—therefore step cautiously in measured steps.

The United Nations should Tackle Terror the Unconventional Way

The spate of terrorist attacks, and it only gets worse every passing year, in both Islamic and non-Islamic  countries should be a warning to world governments.

+INDIA ACCELERATING+ Has Contributed Significantly To Good Governance in India

There is a pattern to good governance, straying from the course, mayhem and anarchy, media brouhaha and again being brought to the table by a series of course corrections. It appears the BJP government whom many supporters like me brought to power has not yet been able to create a system of governance with a team guiding the Prime Minister.

It Does Not Befit A Tall Leader Like Shri Rahul Gandhi To Make Violent Comments Against the RSS

Hon Shri Rahul Gandhi, Vice President, Indian National Congress, who launched a scathing attack at the Modi government yesterday for what he called was "an assault on liberty, rights and democratic space" and promised that his Congress party will be the "biggest force" opposing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.

Nine Ways in Which the BJP-led Government Can Govern India with Credibility

Over the last 2-3 months, events, debate and discourse in India have taken a deep plunge for the worse. The Opposition Congress is attacking the BJP-led government thick and fast and the BJP leadership has done little to ward off these consistent attacks.

Magnanimity is Synonymous with Hindutva; Modiji Let the Moral Compass Guide You

Eighteen months since India’s right of centre party BJP and its grand alliance NDA sweeped to power in election 2014 with close to 400 seats in the lower house of Indian Parliament the Lok Sabha, it becomes pertinent to ask as to why BJP’s win was conceptualised and articulated in the first place.

The Best Plans and Advice Are Proposed by Outside, External Advisors

In the race to build a vibrant India, one must not be taken in by feelings of delusion or grandeur. Let us always remember that even now half of India’s population does not have access to housing, decent food, employment, education, etc.

A Surgical Strike Detailed Plan to Counter Pak-backed Jihadi Terror Attacks

The calling off of NSA-level talks between India and Pakistan is a step in the right direction. The terrorist attack in Gurdaspur, continuing violence in J&K, the burning of Indian flags and the hoisting of Pakistani flags and ISIS flags repeatedly in Jammu & Kashmir is a sign of deep concern.

Hindu Faultlines and the Siege Within And A Gameplan to Overcome These

Off late, Hindu religion is under siege from inimical forces outside and from idiotic forces within. From outside, the rise of radical Islam culminating in heinous jihadi activities on Indian soil and all over the world, notably West, the vow by the Pope to spread Christianity in the third millennium in Asia (in the first millennium Christianity spread in Europe and in the second millennium in the Americas), the rise of liberalism and pluralism as a philosophy in the educated world and finally from Hindus within India who do not respect their religion and laugh along with others on Hindu customs when others make fun of Hindu customs (notably the latest Bollywood movie PK). So how do we build a strong Hindu society and a secular, strong and prosperous India are the main points of discussion.

Modi Must Maintain A Centrist and Moderate Outlook With A Right of Centre Appeal

That Modi has started some new public welfare initiatives thus keeping the masses excited is indeed laudable. In order to capture the public’s interest and imagination, Modi and his government must come up with a public welfare initiative at least once every 2 months. Until Modi does this, he is likely to lose the public’s attention and best wishes. The other thing Modi has to consciously resist are the shrill calls for strident Hindutva which keep emanating from certain quarters in the RSS and the Hindu community. In governance, you have to pander and cater to all classes, faiths, and regions and Modi should not be seen as pushing the Hindutva agenda radically. It is best for his survival in the tricky minefield of Indian politics that he maintains a centrist and moderate outlook with a right of centre appeal.

NATIONAL INTEGRATION AD: It is indeed deplorable that in the recent 6-8 months there have been reports of physical attacks and assaults on boys and girls from the north-east region in some of our metros.  This is a dangerous trend and reflects ignorance and a non-accommodating outlook in the majoritarian population. The government must sanction the making of 3-4 versions of national integration ads which show 15-20 people in each ad from all faiths and regions including people from the north east and the minority religions. The screening of these ads must be made compulsory in all national, regional and local TV channels, print media and the social media. 

OVERSEAS INDIAN EMBASSIES: Indian consulates and embassies in foreign countries should play a more active role in promoting and protecting Indian interests in these countries. For one, they must safeguard the interests of the Indian population in these countries, counter negative perceptions and reports about India in these countries, identify areas of trade, business, scientific and technological collaboration between the host countries and India, and serve as information and intelligence gathering centres on issues of Indian interests in these countries. Embassies must analyse the developments and ongoing happenings in the host country and send feedback to the MEA in New Delhi on how this affects India.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH ROBUST DEMOCRACIES: India must conscientiously promote and cultivate relationships with open, democratic and stable countries as matter of policy. In addition to the pivotal relationships with the US, Japan, Israel and Australia we must cultivate other relationships as well. Thus Japan being a gateway to South-East Asia,here we must cultivate South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and Vietnam in addition to the South Asian countries from Afghanistan to Burma. We must strive to maintain a stable environment in our immediate vicinity. Similarly, South Africa is the gateway to African continent and we must befriend 5-6 robust democracies in Africa and middle east too. Germany is the gateway to the European Union and in addition to Germany, we must cultivate relationships with France, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, United Kingdom and all the Scandinavian countries. In the Americas, in addition to the US, we must befriend Canada, Brazil and 4-5 robust democracies in North and South America. We must also identify and cultivate 8-10 potential emerging markets with whom we share common ideals.

GIVING DUE IMPORTANCE TO ALL FAITHS: While it is good that Modi is protecting and serving the Hindu interests which were neglected under the erstwhile Congress government, he must not alienate the other faiths. Modi must visit an important shrine of the Muslims, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs at least once every year. No sect and religion in India should feel neglected or disowned under the BJP rule. Besides Modi must not limit his visits to Benaras only but should visit happening cities, towns and villages in all states and regions proportionately periodically once every 3-4 months not forgetting the crucial north-east. Unless Modi quickly builds a pan-India appeal and is seen as representative of the entire Indian soul, he runs the risk of being relegated as a regional Gujarati public figure.

 

MEETING KEY STAKEHOLDERS REGULARLY: Modi must meet his key constituencies and stakeholders on a regular basis. Thus he must meet the top defence brass, secretaries and the diplomatic brass once every six months. He must call a meeting of his ministers once every 3 months. He must meet all his Rajya Sabha/Lok Sabha MPs, state chief ministers and state chief secretaries at least once every year and should get effective feedback through well laid out MIS. Similarly he must meet all the inspector generals of police of all states and the chiefs of all intelligence services once every 6 months. This practice must be repeated by all his ministers too and they must meet their key constituencies and stakeholders once every 6-12 months. This will ensure that he and his ministers are able to communicate the policy guidelines and the expectations on a regular periodic basis.

To Win the 2019 Elections, A Great Leader Like Modi Should Address His Shortcomings too

Campaign management comes naturally to Modi/Shah and they are natural and effective managers in this arena. That they have successfully steered the fortunes of the BJP in the recent assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana which are indeed worthy of note.