Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi Born on 17th September, 1950 at Vadnagar, a small town in Mehsana district of North Gujarat, Modi grew up in a culture that instilled in him the values of generosity, benevolence and social service. During the Indo-Pak war in the mid sixties, even as a young boy, he volunteered to serve the soldiers in transit at railway stations. In 1967, he served the flood affected people of Gujarat. The CM of Gujarat is not merely a Chief Minister. He is a man who blots out the line of demarcation between the state and the society. The hierarchy of the ruler and ruled breaks down and we have a phenomenon of the state and the society combined in the great adventure of the reconstruction of a new Gujarat. Narendra Modi is the man of destiny, the guiding star of the masses. If like the poet, the leader is also born, here we have a born leader. That he is also, at heart, a poet endows him with imagination and emotion that go to the making of his vision with abundant commitment and concern. His is a profile in courage, presenting a common man who is also uncommon.

RSS role

RSS role

When Mr Modi was re-elected state chief minister in December 2002 his biggest gains were in areas of intercommunal violence.

During those elections he campaigned openly on a platform of hardline Hinduism.

The Gujarat riots of 2002 left about 1,000 people dead

Analysts say the reason why the chief minister remains relatively unscathed is the strong support he enjoys among senior leaders in the right-wing Hindu organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The RSS, founded in the 1920s with a clear objective to make India a Hindu nation, functions as an ideological fountainhead to a whole host of hardline Hindu groups - including the BJP with which it has close ties.

The RSS has a particularly strong base in Gujarat and Mr Modi's ties to it were seen as a strength the organisation could tap when he joined the state unit of the BJP in the 1980s.

Mr Modi reportedly married a woman working as a teacher in a poor Muslim area about 100km (60 miles) from Gujarat's commercial capital, Ahmedabad.

But his official biography makes no mention of it.

Critics say the omission is in keeping with the value that RSS traditionalists place on a life of bachelorhood - allowing in their view true dedication to the organisation.

Profile: Narendra Modi

Profile: Narendra Modi

Few politicians have done so much to polarise Indian public opinion in recent years as Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Many Gujaratis have applauded Mr Modi on the economy

Mr Modi has been referred to by some critics as the merchant of death.

He hit the headlines in 2002, when he was accused of failing to halt some of the worst religious violence India has ever seen.

Riots erupted after dozens of Hindu pilgrims were killed in a train fire in the town of Godhra.

More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in the ensuing violence.

His opponents say he indirectly egged on Hindu mobs who are believed to have led most of the attacks.

His supporters say he could have done little under the circumstances to prevent the violence.

But since then, Mr Modi has been seen as the face of militant Hinduism.

He may polarise public opinion in India but he has also been credited for bringing prosperity and development to Gujarat.

A lover of expensive clothes, he is considered to be business friendly.

The state's economy has been growing at more than 10% a year, significantly above the national average, and many Gujaratis are feeling wealthier.

But while those who have benefited during his time as chief minister will applaud his re-election, for the victims of the 2002 riots, a victory for Mr Modi is likely to be just one more symbol of injustice.

A Divisive Indian Official Is Loved by Businesses

Mr. Modi uses a chief executive style of managing the bureaucrats who work under him, according to associates and business executives in Gujarat. He gives promising people positions of responsibility, sets goals and expects people to meet them. Nonperformers are pushed aside.

It may seem an obvious way to administer a state with more than 50 million people and a budget in the billions of dollars.

But this approach runs counter to India’s tradition of cronyism. In a recent reshuffle of India’s national cabinet ministers, for example, the minister of highways who substantially missed targets for road-building was made minister for urban development, a crucial position for a rapidly urbanizing nation struggling to build livable cities.

Even in another state considered pro-business, Tamil Nadu in the south, the ruling party, D.M.K., has been dogged by accusations of corruption.

In Mr. Modi’s case, the accolades once would have been unthinkable. After the Hindu-Muslim riots a decade ago, he was considered a liability for his political party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. But these days, with Gujarat’s soaring economy, Mr. Modi is sometimes mentioned as his party’s most likely candidate for prime minister in 2014, when the next general election is expected.

Despite his lack of executive experience, Mr. Modi’s supporters credit him with a politician’s innate sense of marketing. Images of Mr. Modi were plastered on billboards throughout Gujarat during the investment summit meeting, proclaiming the state’s support not only for investment but for social programs like support of girls’ education — a particularly important subject in India where there is a large literacy gap between men and women.

Within Gujarat, which has a centuries-old reputation for business acumen, even Mr. Modi’s fans sometimes grumble that he and his image makers may be taking outsize credit for its economic growth. And they say that the headline numbers that Mr. Modi’s government trumpets can be misleading.

For example, the $450 billion in “memorandums of understanding” — essentially, pledges to do business in the state — that the government says were signed during the January investment summit meeting double-count some deals, according to businessmen in attendance, because they include loans and investments for the same projects. Mr. Modi’s spokesman confirmed there might be some redundancy in the $450 billion figure, but said it was impossible to break out the loans from the investments.

Yet, no one disputes Gujarat’s rapid growth. And Mr. Modi’s supporters say India’s economic success will depend on each state’s adopting many of the same measures he has employed. India’s central government may apportion budgets and write overall laws, they say, but it is the states that are responsible for overseeing everything from land allocation to electricity distribution.

“If you are an investor in India,” said Mr. Somers, of the United States trade group, “Gujarat must be at the top of your list.”

A Divisive Indian Official Is Loved by Businesses

GANDHINAGAR, India — In a soaring, unfinished conference hall in western India, thousands of businessmen and diplomats from around the world gathered recently for an investment meeting. They were there to pay homage to a politician for accomplishing something once thought almost impossible in India: making it easy to do business.

Sam Panthaky/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Narendra Modi, chief minister of the state of Gujarat, spoke at a conference last month that was meant to promote business.

Bombardier

The Canadian company Bombardier built a manufacturing plant in Savli, Gujarat, in 18 months, “a world record within Bombardier,” one executive said.

The politician, Narendra Modi, the chief minister of the state of Gujarat, sat onstage, stroking his close-cropped white beard, as executives from the United States, Canada, Japan and elsewhere showered him with praise.

Ron Somers, head of an American trade group, called him a progressive leader. Michael Kadoorie, a Hong Kong billionaire, enveloped him in a hug.

“I would encourage you all to invest here,” Mr. Kadoorie, chairman of the Asian power company CLP Group, told the audience, “because it has been an even playing field for me.”

The coastal state of Gujarat, famous as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, has become an investment magnet. The state’s gross domestic product is growing at an 11 percent annual rate — even faster than the overall growth rate for India, which despite its problems is zipping along at 9 percent clip.

And Mr. Modi receives — some would say claims — much of the credit. The year before he took office in 2001, Gujarat’s economy shrank by 5 percent.

But critics of Mr. Modi, a Hindu nationalist, point to another legacy of his early days in office — something that has made him one of the most polarizing figures in Indian politics. Months after he became chief minister, Gujarat erupted in brutal Hindu-Muslim riots that killed more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims.

Despite Mr. Modi’s subsequent denials, he has not fully escaped a cloud of accusations by rival political groups, victims and their families, and human rights groups that he and his aides condoned the attacks against Muslims and — as one case now before the Supreme Court charges — may even have encouraged them.

A special investigation team formed by the Supreme Court has filed a 600-page investigative report on the riots, which has not been officially released. Numerous other lawsuits related to the riots are also winding through India’s courts. In 2005 the United States refused to grant Mr. Modi a visa, on grounds of religious intolerance. Meanwhile, environmental activists and local tribesman who have been protesting the construction of seven dams in Gujarat that will displace 25,000 people say they the protesters have been regularly jailed by the state police, charged with being Naxalites, a militant rebel group.

Mr. Modi, who has declined interview requests from The New York Times for several years, did not comment for this article.

Of the lingering controversies, a spokesman for Mr. Modi, Steven King, with the Washington public relations firm APCO Worldwide, wrote in an e-mail responding to questions: “The government has very highly developed grievance proceedings.”

Corporate executives, though, tend to concentrate on Mr. Modi’s pro-business attributes, which they see as something of an anomaly in an India where government bureaucracy, bumbling or corruption too often impedes commerce.

“In India there is a sense that efficiency is at such a premium because there is so little to go around,” said Eswar Prasad, a professor of trade policy at Cornell who has served as an adviser to the Indian government. “When people find an effective politician who can make things happen on the ground, they are willing to ignore the character flaws.”

Under Mr. Modi’s watch, the energy companies Royal Dutch Shell and Total have opened a major liquid natural gas terminal in Gujarat, and Torrent Power, an Indian company, has built a huge power plant. Meanwhile, Tata Motors, DuPont, General Motors, Hitachi and dozens of other foreign and Indian companies have built factories, expanded operations or invested in projects in the state.

When the Canadian heavy machinery company Bombardier won a contract to supply subway cars to the Delhi Metro in 2007, it needed a factory site, quickly. It found one in Savli, an industrial estate in Gujarat. Just 18 months later— when in many parts of India, the permit process might still be grinding away — the factory was built and operating.

“It was incredible,” said Rajeev Jyoti, the managing director of Bombardier in India, “and it was a world record within Bombardier.”

Compared with most other states, Gujarat has smoother roads and less garbage next to the streets. More than 99 percent of Gujarat’s villages have electricity, compared with less than 85 percent nationally.

In 2009, Gujarat attracted more planned investment than any other state in the country, about $54 billion by value of announced plans, according to Assocham, a trade association of Indian chambers of commerce.

Mr. Modi, who has no business or economics background, deserves praise for this, corporate leaders say. Before entering politics in his late 30s, he was a religious volunteer for the Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which sponsors schools and provides aid during natural disasters, but has also been widely criticized as being intolerant of other religions and of secular Hindus.

In India, where corrupt politicians often seem to be raiding the public coffers to benefit their offspring, Mr. Modi’s success is sometimes attributed to his apparent lack of a family life. Acquaintances and local news reports say he was married at a young age but separated soon after from his wife. Mr. Modi has never commented on reports about his personal life.

Mr. Modi’s administration has brought novel solutions to some of India’s most tenacious problems. Corruption became less widespread after the state government put a large amount of its activities online, from permits that companies need to build or expand, to bids for contracts. To plow through a multiyear backlog of court cases, and prevent day laborers from losing income, Mr. Modi asked judges to work extra hours in night courts.

US snubs Narendra Modi, denies visa

US snubs Narendra Modi, denies visa

In BJP waalon maa ke lodo kee yaheen halat hogeen!!!!
Chut ke Bhut bhaut boltey hain.Saalo Delhi Govt. ek bill laana chahteen hain (5% real estate wallan), uskey liyen behan chod rakhee hain delhi sectriate kee. Saaley haram ka pilley bahut haat jod jod key baat kartey hain,. Advani maa dar chod bahut hindee mein cheezey samjhataan hain. In behan ke lodon ko to saapon sey latwaana chahiyen Un logo sey poochon jeen kee maa behan chod deen inhoney ghujraat dangon mein!!!!

Narendra Modi’s Summary

Narendra Modi’s Summary

Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant having 18 years practical experience (9 years in UAE) in Property Development, Real Estate & Construction, Retail Chain of Stores & wholesale trading and Manufacturing Industry. Having E- Commerce certification with Visual Basic & Oracle.


Professional Goal is to achieve CFO position of a big corporate group.

Narendra Modi’s Specialties:

Finance & Banking, Strategic planning, Business Feasibility, Accounts, Administration, MIS and costing, ERP implementation.

Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi

India is not only the largest democracy of the World but is among those countries which are deeply rooted in democratic and liberal traditions. In recent years, India has emerged as a strong economy and promising investment destination. The State of Gujarat is the most vibrant and progressive State of India. It is considered to be the Growth Engine of India because of its impressive contribution in Indian economy.

The present Government of Gujarat led by the Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is committed to make Gujarat one of the most competitive business destinations of the World.

He has taken dynamic steps to improve the infrastructure and socio – economic situation of the State. He has undertaken a massive program for investment promotion in the State of Gujarat. With this objective in mind, he is visiting USA. He is a visionary young leader of India.

How Narendra Modi tackled 71 questions by the

How Narendra Modi tackled 71 questions by the SIT

The Tehelka magazine on Thursday published what everyone was curious to know — what questions were posed to chief minister Narendra Modi during his interrogation by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on March 25, 2010, and what his responses were.

The details show how Modi resorted to selective facts, evasion, amnesia, outright lies and rhetoric during his questioning.

The interrogation began with inquiry officer AK Malhotra showing Modi the text of his inflammatory public speech at Becharaji in Mehsana on September 9, 2002, in the middle of Gujarat Gaurav Yatra, and asking him if the remarks referred to Muslims.

According to Tehelka, Modi, however, replied that the speech did not refer to any particular community or religion. He said it was a political speech, in which he tried to point out the increasing population. He also said that his speech had been distorted.

The CM described as baseless his alleged instructions to police and home department officials to allow Hindus to vent their anger in the wake of the Sabarmati carnage. He claimed that he had given categorical and clear cut instructions to maintain peace and communal harmony at any cost.

The SIT asked Modi as to who gave the call for Gujarat Bandh on February 28, 2002 and Bharat Bandh on March 1, and whether the bandhs were supported by the ruling party. In response, the CM said he had learnt that Gujarat bandh call was given by the VHP.

"However, I came to know from newspaper reports on February 28 that the bandh had been supported by the BJP," he claimed. Asked to explain his statement to a news channel on March 1, 2002, in which Modi described the violence as a chain of actions and reactions, the CM replied that he did not recollect his exact words.
He told the SIT that he had always appealed only for peace, and "had tried to convey to people to shun violence in straight and simple language".

Tehelka said that on being asked about his movements on February 28, 2002, Modi replied, "On the afternoon of February 28, I met the press, and informed about the announcement of an inquiry commission and also made an appeal to the public to maintain peace and communal harmony."

During the questioning, which continued till 1 am in the night, the SIT posed a total of 71 questions to Modi. Asked who took the decision of transporting bodies of victims of Sabarmati train carnage to Ahmedabad and on what basis, Modi said it was a collective decision. The CM said the decision was taken because most of the victims belonged to Ahmedabad and nearby places.

Asked about a meeting at his residence on February 27, Modi said that it was a law and order meeting attended by top officials. He also named the officials that were present at the meeting. He also said that Sanjeev Bhatt, the then DC (intelligence), was not present, as it was a high-level meeting.

However, Bhatt has claimed that he was indeed present in the meeting. Quizzed whether a decision was taken to allow ministers Ashok Bhatt and IK Jadeja to sit in the state control room and Ahmedabad city control room, respectively, which affected supervision of riot situation, Modi said no such decision had been taken. He also claimed that he did not have any knowledge that the two ministers were positioned in the control rooms, and that he learnt about it from media.

"It has been my and my government's approach right from the first day that a culprit is a culprit irrespective of his caste, creed, religion and socio-political background, as nobody is above law," he told SIT during his 9-hour grilling.

In response to a question about whether he knew ex-MP Ahsan Jafri, who was killed in Gulbarg society massacre, and if he had requested for help over phone, the CM said that he did not know Jafri. He claimed that he had not received any phone call from Jafri.

Modi described as absurd the allegations that the then sitting ministers Nitin Patel and Narayan Patel had led the violence, arson and sexual assault on women in Kadi and Unjha respectively.

The CM also answered in the negative when questioned if he had asked senior officials to brief the then ADGP RB Sreekumar prior to his deposition before Nanavati Commission, and to influence him to not make any deposition against the government.

Asked if he was in touch with Jaydeep Patel, Babu Bajrangi and Maya Kodnani during the riots, Modi said that he knew Kodnani and Patel, while Bajrangji was not known to him. He, however, said they had not contacted him over phone during the riots.

The SIT also asked Modi's reaction to the allegations that public servants who connived with those responsible for carnage were doubly rewarded and those who tried to uphold the law were punished by way of transfers and supersessions. In response, Modi said the allegations were vague, false and without any basis.

Modi targets Govt, Chidambaram counters

New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement about a decrease in Maoist violence during 2010, saying it was "nothing to be proud of" as now more security personnel and civilians were being killed.

Speaking on the sidelines of the chief ministers meet on internal security here, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the prime minister's remarks during the meeting that there had been a reduction in incidents of Maoist violence last year was "nothing to be proud of".

"Earlier, many Maoists and terrorists were killed. Now, many security force personnel and citizens are being killed. The capability of Maoists has increased.

"They (Maoists) have more armaments and networks to strike. They can get better results with less action. This is not a matter to be proud of," Modi said.

Attacking the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on the issue of black money, Modi said while the central government had asked states to "take serious action in cases of money-laundering, it was terming cases of black money of Indians in Swiss banks as just tax-evasion".

He said the central government should also take responsibility for curbing black money in the same way it had instructed the states.

He demanded that the central government should blacklist Germany and Austria as the two countries had refused to supply weapons to Orissa and Punjab for fear of misuse.

Chidambaram, speaking to mediapersons later, denied the allegations levelled by Modi.

The home minister said the prime minister was "absolutely right" when he said there was a decrease in incidents of left-wing extremism. Chidambaram said he had said in his speech too that there was a kind of stalemate in the fight against Maoists in 2010.

Quoting from his own speech, Chidambaram said that the Maoist-violence affected states cannot claim any major advances but it also cannot be concluded that Maoists had gained an upper hand.

The worst Maoist-affected states are Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, Chidamabram said, adding that concerns on Maoist violence should be addressed to chief ministers of all these states and not to the central government alone.

Chidambaram said Germany and Austria have denied manufacturers licence for exporting arms to some states, including Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Orissa.

He said because export licence was denied, the central government wrote a "helpful letter" that the concerned states may approach Turkey, Russia, Italy, the US and some other countries.

"There was no picking on Gujarat," he said.

To Modi's charge that the central government was not doing enough in cases of money-laundering, Chidambaram said "money laundering was not part of the agenda" of the chief ministers' conference.

To chief ministers belonging to National Democratic Alliance (NDA-ruled states blaming corruption and price rise as "factors undermining internal security", Chidambaram said "it was an extraordinary conclusion".

In his speech, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP said the states should not be asked to pay for the deployment of central forces to battle Maoists.

"We are surprised that in this joint battle against Maoists, the states should be asked to pay for the deployment of central para-military forces. No state in the country has financial resources to make these payments," Singh added.

Not enough evidence to prosecute Modi: SIT

New Delhi: The Special Investigative Team report into the post-Godhra riots has said that there's not enough evidence to prosecute Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.The probe report has not given a clean chit to Narendra Modi but says the evidence is not enough to prosecute him.The SIT report says that Modi placed two cabinet ministers in the police control room during the riots.

According to the report, one minister was in close touch with a VHP leader accused of masterminding the riots.

The report also says that the state government carried out shoddy investigations into the Gulberga society massacre.

The police officers who acted against rioting mobs were targeted by state administration, says the SIT report.

According to the probe report, Modi held meeting of top officials telling them to let Hindus vent their anger for the Sabarmati carnage.

The report says that the police wireless messages of 2002 were not made available to SIT.

SIT doubts Modi's acts, but lacks evidence

New Delhi: The past has come back to haunt Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Tehelka-CNN-IBN have now accessed the Supreme Court appointed SIT report looking specifically at Modi's alleged role during the 2002 post godhra riots. The report, already filed in the apex court, throws up several embarrasing questions for Modi, but doesn't ask for prosecuting him further due to lack of evidence. The 600-page report that looked into allegations against Modi's Administration during the riots said that despite ghastly violent attacks on Muslims in Gulburg Society and Naroda Patiya the reaction of the government was not the type which would have been expected of anyone.

According to the report, the Chief Minister tried to water down the seriousness of the situation at Gulburg Society and Naroda Patiya by saying every action has equal and opposite reaction.

The report also criticised Modi for appointing pro-VHP advocates as public prosecutors in the riot cases.

Modi did not visit riot affected areas though he was at Godhra on February 27, 2002 and most damagingly for Modi the report said, the government destroyed wireless records of police conversation of the day.

The report also was critical of the role played by his cabinet colleagues and bureaucrats and makes mention of presence of Gujarat ministers Ashok Bhatt and IK Jadeja in the Ahmedabad and Ghandinagar police control rooms during the riots and being in touch with other BJP and VHP leaders.

The report also criticised retired bureaucrats who were not forth coming in their depositions as they have got post retirement benefits.

But in its conclusion, the report said, substantiated allegations don't throw up material that would justify further action under law.

So was the report a cop out or was it an attempt made by SIT to bring facts about Modi in public domain? The BJP hasn't reacted so far, but it's clear, that on March 3, when the Supreme Court will take up the matter, Narendra Modi will be a concerned man.

Godhra riots: enough evidence to nail Modi?

New Delhi: The trajectory of Narendra Modi's political career could well depend on this report - the Raghvan Committee findings on post Godhra riots in Gujarat does not give a clean chit to Narendra Modi but also doesn't directly indict him citing lack of evidence.Mukul Sinha, advocate of riot victims said, "There is enough evidence on the basis of which the Supreme Court can order that FIR be lodged in the case agianst the CM".The 600 page report looks at 32 questions against Narendra Modi and Gujarat government officials for their alleged complicity in Gujarat riots of 2002. It accuses Modi of watering down the seriousness of the worst riot affected areas like Gulburg Society and Naroda Patiya by saying riots were reaction to the Godhra train burning. It accuses the CM of destroying wireless records of police conversation on February 27, 2002. There are allegations levelled against Modi that he deliberately kept the state on a communal boil by taking out a Rath Yaatra in July 2002. The entire set of 71 questions that were posed to Narendra Modi by the SIT have also been published.

For the BJP, the biggest question is how did a report in a sealed envelope before the Supreme Court get leaked to the media.

BJP Spokesperson Ravi Shnakar Prasad said, "The report is with the apex court in a sealed evelope how its has been leaked to the media? The UPA is trying to divert people's attention from real issues like price rise".

Shaktisinh Gohil, LoP, Gujarat Assembly said, "There is sufficient evidence. I hope now justice will be delivered to the people of the state".

What Supreme Court decides will have ramifications both for Narendra Modi personally and for the BJP as a political party. Whether Modi is able to move out of the state politics and play a role at the national level could well be defined by courts ruling on the Raghvan Committee Report.

Gujarat cop in trouble for leaking riot tapes

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has issued a notice to the state DIG Rahul Sharma, asking him to explain how and why he prepared a CD of phone records during the post-Godhra riots and why did he hand these over to probe agencies without the government's permission.

Nine years after the riots Sharma, an IPS officer, is being accused of leaking telephone call details of police officers, politicians, bureaucrats and Sangh Parivar leaders during the first week of the communal riots of 2002.

Gujarat government has issued the officer a notice asking: why action should not be taken against Sharma for leaking these call records? Why permission was not sought from the state government before preparing a CD of call details? Why state government's permission was not sought before handing over these CDs to Nanvati Commission, UC Banerjee Commission and RK Raghvan chaired Special Investigation Team (SIT)?

Click to play video

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has issued a notice to the state DIG Rahul Sharma, asking him to explain how and why he prepared a CD of phone records during the post-Godhra riots and why did he hand these over to probe agencies without the government's permission.Nine years after the riots Sharma, an IPS officer, is being accused of leaking telephone call details of police officers, politicians, bureaucrats and Sangh Parivar leaders during the first week of the communal riots of 2002.Gujarat government has issued the officer a notice asking: why action should not be taken against Sharma for leaking these call records? Why permission was not sought from the state government before preparing a CD of call details? Why state government's permission was not sought before handing over these CDs to Nanvati Commission, UC Banerjee Commission and RK Raghvan chaired Special Investigation Team (SIT)?

The call details have been crucial for investigating the role of state government officials, minister and other leaders in the 2002 riots.

"They are now targeting Mr Sharma because he is singularly responsible for exposing their dirty tricks," said advocate Mukul Sinha.

But Shrama is not the only one who is being targeted for speaking against the government. In past officers like RB Sreekumar, Kuldeep Sharma and AK Surolia have been punished for not toeing the government line.

"Even though I was awarded with two President's medals and received numerous appreciation letters, I was superceded in February from getting my legitimate promotion to the highest rank in the police department,” said RB Sreekumar, DGP (retired) Gujarat.

Whether it be riot survivors, human rights activists, advocates or even honest police officers, the road to justice for the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat has been a bumpy ride so far.

Rahul Gandhi compares 'evil leader' Narendra Modi

Rahul Gandhi compares 'evil leader' Narendra Modi with Mao

After comparing RSS with SIMI, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has created yet another controversy when he dubbed Modi as an “evil leader” like Mao.

He was replying to questions raised by students who were attending his programme in Ahmedabad on Friday.

The interaction turned stormy when Rahul made some sharp remarks on Modi and said that his development is coming at the cost of a particular community. He then said that the blemish of Godhra incident will not fade away even if Modi does great work.

“Many an evil leaders have done great developmental work.” He then went on to compare Modi with Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

Some of the participants of the students’ meet who were uncomfortable with criticism of Modi by Rahul then confronted him with questions about how justified was his effort to bring democracy within the Congress party, when he himself has risen to power because of dynastic politics. “I have paid a huge cost for it… my father is my role model who wanted to change the system and he had to pay the price,” he said.

Some students reportedly told Rahul that Gujarat was now a much better place than what it was immediately after the 2002 riots. Perceiving the mood of the audience, local leaders wound up the session in a hurry.

Some students also complained that the organisers snatched away mikes from them.Rahul made a swift exit without entering into a debate with the students over Modi.

Earlier, he appealed to the youngsters to join the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the students’ arm of the Congress, and contribute to the process of nation-building. He kicked off his whirlwind Gujarat tour from Ahmedabad on Friday.

He addressed about 700 students drawn from different colleges of the city at Thakorebhai Desai Hall. He also addressed local NSUI leaders, before leaving for Rajkot, from where he was to go to Vadodara.

The AICC general secretary’s visit to Gujarat aims at strengthening the NSUI by persuading students to join the union. His visit is also intended at boosting the morale of local NSUI leaders, who are gearing up for the upcoming election of their representatives across the state.

The 700 students had taken their seats well before 8:30 am, but Rahul arrived only around 11:00 am, ostensibly because of a delayed flight. He addressed the students for about 40 minutes.

Most of the students were looking forward to a long interaction session with the Congress’s youth icon, but only three students could ask him questions as Rahul was running out of time for his Rajkot visit.

A man with a mission

A man with a mission

A leader with conviction

A manager with vision

Mr Narendra Modi has the distinction of being the longest serving Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. He firstly assumed this responsibility in October 2001. Thereafter, he has had sweeping victories in two successive Assembly Elections held in December 2002 and December 2007. He has also won successive elections of the local bodies including the Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations. The victory of 2007 is a reaffirmation of the people’s faith in his leadership, statesmanship and governance which he displayed in last six years as Chief Minister.

Passionate and progressive, a poet at heart and author of a few books, tech-savvy, Mr Narendra Modi is one of the most responsive political leaders in India. Born to a middle class family in the Mehsana district of Gujarat in 1950, a masters in political science, he entered social youth right at the beginning of his youth, in the early seventies.

He is widely regarded as a youthful and energetic leader with innovative thoughts and determination to implement them. He has successfully communicated his vision to 55 million people of Gujarat and has been able to instill a sense of confidence in what they have and a hope for a golden tomorrow. A wide cross section of the people of Gujarat, cutting across religions, income groups and political affiliations, continue to adore Mr Narendra Modi as an able and visionary leader. An astute politician, a skilled orator and a deft negotiator, Mr. Narendra Modi has earned the love and affection of the people from villages and cities alike which makes him a rare leader of the masses. When he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the first time in October 2001, he hardly had any experience of state administration. But his utmost commitment and dedication have rendered him an outstanding administrator and given him an unique achievement of being ranked as the Best Chief Minister of the country in a number of surveys by professional agencies. Even recently, after being elected for the new term, in February 2008, he has been voted as the Best Chief Minister by the people across the country.

When the Modi government was sworn-in in October 2001, the economy of Gujarat was reeling under several adverse trends, particularly natural calamities. The state had witnessed successive droughts, devastating cyclones even before it was hit by a disastrous earthquake in January 2001. The growth in various sectors was stagnant, major parts of the state were facing water scarcity, infrastructure was in shambles and investments had slowed down. Moreover, the mood of the people was despondent. The biggest challenge was to resurrect the spirits and the economy, revive the livelihoods and to reconstruct the infrastructure including those in the earthquake affected areas. Thousands of earthquake affected people were living in temporary shelters without any basic infrastructure. However Modi, a master strategist enriched by national and international exposure and experience, decided to take the bull by its horns and turned an adversity into an opportunity. He re-oriented and re-organized government’s administrative structure, embarked upon a massive exercise for rehabilitation of people, reconstruction of infrastructure, recreation of the business environment and rejuvenation of the traditional entrepreneurial spirit of Gujarat. This successfully put Gujarat back on the road to progress and prosperity. Gujarat is now popularly known as "Vibrant Gujarat".

Even when the reconstruction and rehabilitation was going on, Modi did not lose sight of the bigger and larger picture. He emphasized on all-inclusive and uniform development of all communities and regions In the very first year of his tenure, he came out with an integrated strategy for overall development of the State. It is known as Panchamrut (five nectars) and includes Jal Shakti: Harnessing of Water Resources, Gyan Shakti: Quality and coverage in Education, Jan Shakti: Development of Human Resources, Urja Shakti: Power of energy sources and Raksha Shakti: Security and well being of people. Gujarat has registered a GDP growth of over 10% over past five years which is the highest growth rate among all the states in India.. The efforts of his government have resulted into metamorphosis of a revenue deficit state into a revenue surplus state.

He mooted a model of development through people’s participation. USP of his development model has been : a quantum leap (think big) and change right from the roots (no cosmetic changes). A large number of water harvesting structures like check dams, farm ponds and initiatives like Krishi Mahotsav (agricultural festival) and Kanya kelavani campaign (girl child education drive) are its examples. Agriculture production quadrupled from Rs.9000 crores to 34,000 crores. Gujarat leads in energy production with 1878 megawatts of power generation. Through the Jyotigram yojana, he has been able to supply uninterrupted three phase round the clock electricity to all the 18,000 villages of the state. The rural economy is now vibrant owing to this and the villages have turned into centers of production. The state has ushered in a water revolution with creation of a large number of water harvesting structures and popularization of micro-irrigation techniques. Gujarat is the only state where, under the project e gram vishwa gram, all the 18000 villages are being provided broadband connectivity.

Qualitative change has been brought in health services and health infrastructure alongwith schemes like Chiranjeevi and Balbhog which are novel initiatives to ensure a healthy mother and child. Focus on cent per cent enrollment of children through campaigns like Kanya kelavani and Shaala praveshotsav and resultant drooping drop out rates have been able to reverse the trend of high illiteracy rate from Gujarat. The focus is putting Gujarat at par with the developed regions in Human Development Index and work towards the achieving Millenium Development Goals declared by the UN. To ensure all round, all inclusive and uniform development, comprehensive and well conceived packages like Vanbandhu kalyan (tribal welfare), Sagarkhedu (development of coastal dwellers), Garib samruddhi (upliftment of urban poor) are under implementation.

Mr. Modi believes in the fact that good infrastructure is the driver of economic development. He therefore, paid utmost attention on physical and social infrastructure and involved private sector in their development. The rapid and qualitative development of ports, roads, railways, LNG terminals, gas distribution and water distribution networks and other infrastructure facilities are being discussed nationwide. Setting up of Statewide gas grid and water grid are exemplary achievements in infrastructure. He has also created excellent infrastructure at tourist and religious places. Urban sector has been enlivened by up gradation of civic amenities and emphasis on cleanliness and greening and reduction of vehicular pollution. The well conceived, meticulously planned and professionally organized Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Biennial Summits held in 2003, 2005 and 2007 have put Gujarat as a preferred investment destination among global investors. These summits have not only attracted investments worth billions of USD but also created huge employment opportunities in the state. Its logical fall out is skill development for various class of people on a massive scale.

One of the key factors catalyzing Gujarat’s emergence as the most preferred investment destination is its security. Gujarat has the lowest crime rate in the country in last six years. Terrorist nexus, mafias and gangs have all lost grounds here.

A leader who believes in team-work and a good work culture, Mr Modi has launched an ambitious training programme for the 500,000 government employees in Gujarat which is being watched in awe by every other state. Many of his initiatives like evening courts, interlinking of rivers, jyotigram, grievance redressal through SWAGAT online and others are being viewed as models for replication at the national level. The state is now rated as the best e-governed state in the country. With his focus on cent per cent computerization of the villages and emphasis on quick disposal of people’s grievances, the state is set to usher into village level e-governance. Narendra Modi government has bagged about eighty awards including the ones at the international level like the UN Sasakawa award for disaster reduction, CAPAM Gold award for able governance, World Bank’s Green award for environment friendly work during rebuilding after the earthquake, UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award and award from Global Interpolis, Singapore. Gujarat is today rated as the best state in bio technology initiatives too. Gujarat has been rated as the best state in investment climate and economic freedom. The awards , received for achievements on several fronts including agriculture, energy and water management, IT and BT and e-governance; themselves reveal the multi sectoral nature of development.

Mr Modi worked as the General Secretary of the BJP’s (Bhartiya Janata Party) Gujarat unit since 1988. In 1995 Mr Modi was asked by his party to play a role at the national level – he was appointed as Secretary of the BJP’s national unit at New Delhi. He was promoted as General Secretary (Organisation) in 1998, a post he held until October 2001, when he was chosen to be the chief minister of one of India’s most progressive states, Gujarat. During his stint at the national level, Mr Modi was asked to oversee the affairs of several state level BJP units, including the sensitive and crucial states like Jammu & Kashmir and the equally sensitive north-eastern states besides the state like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh etc. He is being credited for successfully revamping the party organization in several states. While working at the national level, Mr Modi emerged as an important spokesman for the party and played a key role on several important occasions.

Modi’s model of good governance is being applauded within the country and beyond. The way he has won the hearts of people of Gujarat and his popularity at the national level show that ‘Good governance is also good politics’

Vibrant Gujarat 2011: Essar commits Rs 30,000 cr to Modi agenda

Gujarat CM Narendra Modi persuaded Essar Group to commit a huge amount of funds for the state.

Diversified conglomerate Essar Group today said it will invest Rs 30,000 crore in Gujarat for projects in various sectors, including power and refinery.

“Essar has committed to invest in Gujarat Rs 30,000 crore in power, refinery, ports and water infrastructure,” Essar Group Chief Executive Prashant Ruia said here during the 5th Global Summit of Vibrant Gujarat.

He, however, did not specify the timeline for the investments but said the earlier investments committed by the group in the state have been executed.

Essar Group is a major player in the port sector in Gujarat. Its ports and terminals business operates a crude oil and petroleum products terminal at Vadinar in the state.

The group is also constructing a dry bulk port at Hazira and a coal jetty at Salaya, all in the state.

It also has a 14 MTPA petroleum refinery at Vadinar which started commercial production on May 1, 2008.

Besides, it also operates a 515 MW gas-based power plant at Hazira.

Vibrant Gujarat: Who said what about Modi

Apart from showering mega investments on Gujarat, captains of Indian industry, including Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, today heaped praises on Chief Minister Narendra Modi and described him as a great visionary.

At a time when the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre is struggling to keep basic needs of ‘aam aadmi’ affordable, Modi got full marks from corporate leaders for working towards uplifting the quality of life of the common man.

“Gujarat is shining like a lamp of gold and the credit goes to the visionary, effective and passionate leadership provided by Narendra Modi. We have a leader here with vision and determination to translate this vision into reality,” Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said.

Speaking at the fifth global summit of ‘Vibrant Gujarat‘ here, Ambani said Modi’s efforts for growth and development in the state has been responsible for alleviating poverty.

“Given Gujarat’s commitment towards the quality of life and prosperity of the people, I have no doubt that Gujarat will be the first state to vanish poverty in India,” he added.

Expressing similar sentiments, Tata Group chief Ratan Tata said: “The leadership of Narendra Modi has proved that

Gujarat is not only seeing industrial growth but is also witnessing rural development.”

Anil Ambani exhorted other states to take a cue from Modi for development. “Gujarat is a role model for other states to learn from … Narendra bhai has single handedly transformed the state into a power state,” he said. Gujarat today is the power capital and power hub of the country and stands out in a sharp contrast to other states in the country, Ambani added.

In the last edition of the summit held in 2009, Anil Ambani and Bharti Group chief Sunil Mittal had said that Modi should be the next Prime Minister of India.

ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar said Gujarat is seen as the country’s growth engine. “Today when the world looks at India to drive world’s growth, India looks at Gujarat to drive India’s growth…the state has the potential and the ability to drive this growth,” she added.

Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej gave full marks to Modi for his government’s sustainable and inclusive policies. The state government said it has got investment commitments from various corporate houses to the tune of nearly Rs. 15 lakh crore on the first day of the two-day Vibrant Gujarat summit.

New Deoband chief lauds Modi’s Gujarat

The new Darul Uloom vice-chancellor, Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi, said “all communities” are prospering in Narendra Modi’s Gujarat and there was “no discrimination against the minorities in the state as far as development was concerned.” He was talking to TOI here on Tuesday.

This is arguably the most significant endorsement of Narendra Modi. Darul Uloom, based in Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, is a leading Islamic seminary in India and the fount of the Deobandi thought, which has adherants well beyond the country’s borders, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Vastanvi, himself a Gujarati from Surat, is an MBA graduate and has been instrumental in introducing modern subjects in institutions run by Darul Uloom in Gujarat and Maharashtra, including medicine, engineering and allied subjects. His recent election as the Darul Uloom chief is seen as a possible change catalyst in this conservative seminary.

It’s not easy for the man holding this chair to be charitable towards Modi, the person who has been accused of persecuting Muslims during and after the 2002 Gujarat riots. Asked about the riots, Vastanvi didn’t give Modi a clean chit, but stressed that it was now time to move on.

“The issue is almost eight years old now and we should move forward,” Vastanvi told TOI on Tuesday. “Rioting anywhere — in Gujarat or in any other part of the world — is bad for humanity and it should never happen. Gujarat riots were a blemish for India and all culprits should be punished.”

Vastanvi said “there are not as many problems in Gujarat as has been projected.” Asked about justice for the Gujarat riot victims, he said the riots had worsened “because the police did not act due to political pressure during those days”.

But he differed with what many activists working among the riot victims or the UPA government at the Centre claim about continuing discrimination against Muslims in Gujarat. He said, “As far as relief work riot is concerned, it has been carried out very well by government and people of Gujarat.”

The Deoband chief has obviously been impressed by the economic progress of Gujarat. He said, “Development has undoubtedly taken place in Gujarat and we hope it will continue. I ask Muslims to study well. The government is ready to offer jobs (to them), but for that, they need good education.”

Vastanvi hails from Vastan village near Surat and his initiation into Islamic studies began at a seminary here.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi proves that good

Chief Minister Narendra Modi proves that good governance can be good politics. : Wall Street Journal

As they had two years earlier, investors pledged to sink vast sums—upward of $450 billion, or about one-third of India’s GDP—in the western Indian state’s soaring economy. As in the past, a parade of India’s top businessmen—among them Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Ratan Tata and Anand Mahindra—lavished praise on Gujarat’s progress under Narendra Modi, the state’s 60-year-old business-friendly chief minister, and a leading figure in the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). And unsurprisingly, going by press reports, Mr. Modi retained his place as India’s most polarizing politician: loved and loathed in equal measure.

Nine years after Hindu-Muslim riots killed more than 1,000 people, three-quarters of them Muslim, the violence continues to cast a shadow over how Indians talk about Gujarat. Mr. Modi’s critics accuse him of either abetting or failing to control the bloodletting in 2002. His supporters say he is a scapegoat for events largely beyond his control.

To be sure, this larger national conversation, at its heart about morality in public life, will not disappear any time soon. (Mr. Modi says he is innocent; a team appointed by the Supreme Court is investigating the charges against him.) But it ought not to obscure another, equally important, question: What can the rest of India learn from Gujarat’s economic success?

Think of Gujarat as a slice of East Asia—say Japan in the 1960s or South Korea in the 1980s—set amidst the dust and drama of the Indian subcontinent. For nearly a decade now, the state on the edge of the Arabian Sea has averaged double-digit growth rates, the only large Indian state to do so. With only 5% of India’s 1.1 billion people, Gujarat accounts for almost one-third of the country’s stock-market capitalization, more than one-fifth of its exports, and about one-sixth of its industrial production. Per-capita electricity consumption in the state is about twice the national average.

Twenty years ago, before the advent of economic reforms, the average Gujarati was about four-fifths as rich as the average resident of Maharashtra, the neighboring state that has long been India’s industrial heartland. In 2008, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s most recent figures, per-capita incomes in Gujarat and Maharashtra were virtually identical— just over $1,000 in nominal terms—despite the latter housing Mumbai, the country’s business capital.

Under Mr. Modi, Gujarat has acquired a reputation for aggressively wooing both domestic and foreign investors. In 2008, it snagged the Tata Group’s flagship Nano car project after political unrest forced the company to flee Communist-ruled West Bengal. The state houses India’s two largest oil refineries, and one of the world’s largest automated coal terminals. Its roads, ports and power plants are among the best in the country. Among its prominent foreign investors: General Motors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Canada’s Bombardier.

What explains this superior performance? In anutshell: a fortuitous mix of geography, culture and leadership. Gujarat, which has India’s longest coastline, has been a trading culture for centuries. It also houses one of India’s most entrepreneurial populations.

In Gujarat, wealth tends to be respected rather than merely envied. The global Gujarati diaspora—with its fingers in everything from real estate in east Africa to diamond trading in Belgium to motels and newspaper kiosks in the United States—fertilizes the state with know-how, ideas and international contacts.

Mr. Modi’s supporters tend to exaggerate his contribution to the state’s prosperity. Gujarat’s culture and geography set it on the path to faster development as soon as New Delhi loosened the dead hand of the federal government with reforms in 1991. Nonetheless—apart from the major blemish of the 2002 riots—the chief minister can be proud of his record of governance.

Unlike much of India, Gujarat has streamlined and rationalized procedures for land allocation and environmental clearances. For instance, the Tata Nano project took just three days to get the green light in 2008. Foreign investors can use a web portal to track paperwork and make complaints.

In the business community, the famously frugal Mr. Modi has earned a reputation for not only being personally honest, but also for setting the tone for his administration. He is also perhaps the only major Indian politician—in a political culture built on government handouts—to espouse the gospel of small government. His motto: “minimum government and maximum governance.”

The Gujarat council of ministers has just 20 members, remarkable for a large state. Unlike many Indian politicians, Mr. Modi, a bachelor, has no loutish offspring who expect to inherit political power by right. By appealing to pan-Gujarati pride, he has largely transcended the caste equations that marked Gujarat politics in the 1980s and still define elections—and the flawed policies that flow from them—in much of India.

In the end, most states can’t hope to replicate, at least not overnight, Gujarat’s entrepreneurial culture and sensible attitudes toward wealth creation. But other elements of the state’s model—strong leadership, anti-corruption efforts, a streamlined bureaucracy and a welcoming attitude toward business—can travel without damage across its borders. And Mr. Modi, Gujarat’s longest-serving chief minister, is proof that good governance can also be good politics. The sooner more states figure this out, the better it will be for India.

Aditi Phadnis: A Modi-fied Gujarat

Gujarat has been in the news for three reasons this month. The first is, of course, the Vibrant Gujarat investment festival coinciding with the Makar Sankranti season in the state. With the exception of Infosys and Wipro – for which Gujarat is readying a different kind of entrepreneur and Chief Minister Narendra Modi is confident that given time, they will be in Gujarat too – everyone who is anyone in industry was in the state networking, raising money and investing. Investment amounting to lakhs of crores has been promised. The accent is on “promised”, the Opposition points out. Industry, on the other hand, is clear. One BJP-minded investor compared Modi to the third in the trinity of “Vivekanand and Gandhi”. Poverty of philosophy? Maybe. But industry thinks so.

The second event went unreported in the national press but Dalit activists thought it was important enough to disseminate around the world. Dalit rights NGOs reported that for the first time in Gujarat and possibly the entire country, a newspaper editor was arrested under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and kept behind bars for one full day and night. Seventy-five per cent of cases around the country under this law end in acquittal. In Gujarat, not only was the FIR filed, but successfully pursued. The accused was granted bail but had to stay in jail till the bail hearing was held. This is the unexpurgated version of what the publication wrote: “In ancient times parents used to send their children to listen to lectures of saints to provide them good company. Children used to visit forest-school (tapovan) for education. In forest-school virtuous rishi munis shaped their characters. In modern times children go to schools, where they come in to contact of children of ‘inferior caste’ and learn bad manners. In present day schools children having inherited bad manners also come to be educated with sons of ‘reputed families’ They definitely affect sons of reputed families. In past, only Brahmins were chosen as teachers in pathshalas. Nowadays, even people of “backward caste” become teachers by getting benefits of reservation. These teachers cannot teach good behaviour to children.”

The third time Gujarat made the headlines was when Maulana Vastanvi, the newly appointed rector of Darul-Uloom Deoband, said in an interview there is “no discrimination against the minorities” in Gujarat. Islamic groups in India and abroad are furious at his statement and the Maulana is under pressure to apologise.

The three instances come together to illustrate new – and some old – realities about the state. Gujarat and Gujaratis have always understood money better than the rest of India. Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry and leader of the Opposition in Gujarat Assembly, Shaktisinh Gohil said so in Burari and used this intelligence to attack Modi (“he’s promised a lot of money for the state. But where is it?”).

The question is, why is Gujarat getting the money now? A former Indian Administrative Services officer who is now a private sector advisor on infrastructure was blunt: “In my mind, Godhra equals 1984. What is then the differentiator between previous Congress governments and the present BJP one? The performance of the chief minister and the administration. There are two things you have to hand to Modi: He might accept money for the party, but he never asks for money for himself and will not allow his colleagues to make money either; and he’s a nitty-gritty man — nothing is left to the imagination of the bureaucracy (for which he doesn’t have much time anyway) so there is no space for exercising discretion. Every detail is seen through by him.” The closest comparison was with another BJP chief minister, Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh, whose state is also considered a frontline performer. Raman Singh is laid-back and believes in living and letting live, but Modi’s style is perform or perish.

Modi’s power sector reforms appear to have impressed the most. Power utilities have successfully separated the domestic and agricultural feeders. This has ensured that both sectors get a fair share of power with a regularity that was not possible earlier. Gujarat’s state GDP is 11 per cent and agricultural growth is 9.6 per cent. Power is essential. But so is land. So how does Modi cope with the rising demand for land from industry and the compulsion of high agricultural growth? Gujarat has a law under which non-farmers cannot buy agricultural land, and if a farmer sells his land and does not register the purchase of fresh agricultural land in three years, he loses the right to be called a farmer. So everywhere Modi goes, he tells villagers: “Don’t sell your land; and if you do, buy more agricultural land.” Farmer versus industry agitations are gaining ground in the state; but so is prosperity. Farmers in Sanand protested against land acquisition — and how? By not sending their children to school.

Modi’s social project is gaining ground. When Vibrant Gujarat was on, by day he would sign MoUs. And come evening, he could be found in Dalit bastis in Ahmedabad, flying kites with children, interacting with people. Muslims do complain of discrimination. But they say the pace of development in their area is not as fast as in the Hindu areas.

Gujarat is growing fast. The rest of India has to trust, verify, but as Maulana Vastanvi pointed out, grow up as well.

Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi is the poster-child of the BJP and if you have travelled to Gujarat in the recent past you are amazed at how far ahead of the country the state is on basic things – power for example. I went to a food processing plant in Mehsana and these guys don’t even have a back-up, no really. If you cover industries and visit as many factories as I do across the country that is an amazing fact.
Most companies in any sort of large or mid-level manufacturing and the plant I went to was a mid-level manufacturer run their own power utility. Depending on the state for power, because they promise it free to everyone who bothers to ask, is useless. Sure, you can’t find a drink at a bar, but you can pretty much find tons of booze and sex if you really wanted to. Other than prohibition, I kind of like going to Ahmedabad, not so much Bhavnagar, but Ahmedabad under Modi, now at least is a great place to go to, and industrialists all concur.
But much like the Congress will never be able to deal with 1984; Modi and his towering ambition will be thwarted unless some sort of peace is made with the demons of 2002. I’ll be honest, as a paragon of development; Gujarat is a fantastic model for the rest of idea. Good roads and power, yes the state is still relatively parched, but despite the ham-handed nature of the land acquisition for the Sardar Sarovar project, water from the Narmada should help.
Yet, whenever people broach the topic of 2002, Modi feels threatened. He claims (like Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar) no personal culpability for 2002. And an argument you often hear is that the man who presided over the home ministry in 1984 P.V Narashima Rao, (the best Congress PM we have ever had in terms of policy, much, much better than that bungling Surdie) became Prime Minister seven years later. Then again, Rao also sat around while Babri fell – so while he might have set India off in terms of progress he lost the Congress Sikh votes and then North Indian Muslim votes and the Congress hasn’t quite recovered from the latter, though this year things might be interesting.
But unloved as he was at the end of his life, I guess losing North Indian Muslim votes condemned the Congress a hell of a lot, Rao is dead now. Still unloved and unlamented, and that is one major problem I have with MMS to be honest. But in 1991, the country was in deep shit and we didn’t have ten lefty liberals on television telling us how Rao was a bad man.
That said, to ‘blame’ the media for condemning Modi (as some right-wing thinkers do) is also a bit unfair, because 2002 is an open question and even if the media don’t bring it up, you honestly expect 2002 not to be an issue if Modi was to stand for Prime Minister? The fact is by obfuscation and by rehabilitating some of the accused much like the Congress did in 1984, how is the BJP any different?
Until the BJP confronts 2002, and I really don’t know what this ‘confrontation’ entails, it will always be identified as a ‘Hindu Nationalist Party’ run by a bunch of old men in chaddis, which I think is unfair, because the ‘Hindu’ bit should go. I personally believe that the BJP has the most comprehensive vision to restore India’s glory, some of what they plan is bizarre but that is why an opposition and the media are important. Confronting the issues of 2002 will also deprive the Laloo’s Gowda’s and Paswan’s of the world, politicians who have excelled in the politics of non-development of the secular plank. I believe true ‘secularism’ is in the overall development of India, where people of all castes and creeds can have a better future for themselves and their children.
If the BJP can deal with 2002 much like they have dealt with Praveen Togadia (by telling him to shut up and he has been very obedient, and Muthalik must be muzzled also), it won’t be just 2009 that they will have a good chance. And maybe, just maybe we can get rid of these small regional parties who are being clowns. I don’t feel Narendra Modi as a future PM of India is a bad idea, because the man isn’t corrupt and he does have a vision for the future. But if that future has to come about, the past is something that has to be dealt with.

Hoisting Tiranga (Tricolour) in Kashmir is no crime: Narendra Modi

Hoisting Tiranga (Tricolour) in Kashmir is no crime: Narendra Modi

ShareGujarat chief minister Narendra Modi attacked the UPA government and Congress for preventing BJP workers from hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. He termed the act as anti-national and stated that the UPA government was the ‘worst government India has ever seen’. “We have never seen a situation when an Indian is [...]

Modi to visit Juhapura, draw devt plan

Modi to visit Juhapura, draw devt plan

ShareJuhapura, one of India’s largest Muslim ghettos and a largely neglectedONE , is expecting an unlikely visitor. A group of prominent Muslims, led by a well-known businessman, is planning a small gathering of community intellectuals to be addressed by chief minister Narendra Modi. This will be Modi’s first visit to Juhapura, which has around four [...]

Narendra Modi

» Narendra Modi

Posted by JITENDRA BARGAJE on 2010-12-24 18:45:32.77543+05:30
Like other leaders ,Modi has no personal financial assests. He is bachelor and his parents & brothers live like common man and never exlpoit his post. He works for more than 18 hours. Every complaint & suggestion of common man is heard in Gujrat. He plays no politics as far as developments is concerned. He is a perfect antedote to Nehruvian era which left India backward.