Dear Prime Minister Modi ji,
Three years ago, I was one among the bedazzled crowd of millions, overawed by your oratory skills and conviction to change the country, until then steeped in untold levels of corruption.
Though I believed that billions have been siphoned off by politicians and industrialists and was sceptical that such sums never would be brought back to our country, you whet my appetite, promising to bring back the stashed money within 100 days of your being elected. Given the secrecy laws of tax-haven countries, I felt it was far-fetched, as was the promise of crediting Rs.15 lacs per person, yet I believed you.
You promised to book all criminal politicians, within 50 days of your taking over, apparently forgetting the independence of judiciary and its powers, the evidence or lack of it. The purchase of votes or leaders in favour of your party too is a mismatch to your stand. Yet I believe you.
You talked about our poor relations with Pakistan and succeeded in bringing the Pak PM to your swearing in promising that we are in for a new era in bilateral or regional relationships. I believed you despite many young officers and jawans being martyred in terrible regularity every other day.
You were concerned as a real leader, of the millions of unemployed youth, promising 2 million jobs each year, while just 10% of the promised jobs could be created. Make in India was touted as something novel with a big fanfare. Involved with several industries, I knew without creating backward and forward linkages it was a dream of a tall order. I still believed you.
You wooed the farmers. reminding them their unending plights for the last many years before you took over. I believed you would be the agent of change. They continue to die, of starvation, of lower sale prices and by the indulgent middlemen mafia ruling the roost.
You talked about strengthening Indian Rupees vis-à-vis USD and other currencies. India on its own cannot yet combat global influences adverse to its stated position. Yet, I believed you.
You may have realized that it was not easy to bring money illegally stashed abroad, but there was a big leak from Mossack Fonseca, which cost the job of many world leaders like the PM of Iceland, PM of Pakistan, thus proving the authenticity of the leaks. It also revealed more than 500 Indians all who’s-who in the list. The public have a right to know on actions taken beyond ‘settlements’ done by the IT Department in secrecy. How many went to jail? Yet I believe that your government is perhaps cleaner than any predecessor’s and so I believe appropriate action would follow.
You demonetised the currency, regardless of the pains of the poor, for a paltry sum of Rs.440 crores counterfeit currency. You exempted though the political parties. Why? Sum equivalent to 90% of all the currency deposited are already back in circulation as are the new counterfeit currencies from across the border. The supremacy of cash transactions in rural areas has never been understood. Yet I believe in the long run the demonetisation would usher an era of better tax compliance.
You brought Aadhar and linked it with every walk of life, which is a welcome step. The Voter’s ID card should have been linked too! Why Sir, have you let off the most precious instrument of Indian citizen? I still believe that you will seedily implement that too, to prevent bogus voting in the elections.
You have maintained a studied silence on attacks, killings of scribes, intellectuals, contrary to your avowed ‘Sabke saath, Sabka Vikas.’ I still have not lost my hopes in erasing of the apprehension and fear in the minds of minorities.
A few in the government have started saying that India will be prosperous by 2020. For that you will have to get re-elected in 2019, which you would, given a tattered opposition. It would, however, not enjoy the trust that India reposed and the hope that was kindled in the hearts of a billion plus in 2014. If the corrupt are not sent to jail, and industrial growth does not look up, job market does not shine, 2019 will be a tough challenge for you and the nation.
An ordinary Indian has little concern for Bullet trains and Ro-Ro ferries, but wishes a dignified job and food twice a day. I do not in the least mean no Vikas though. I am sure you will appropriately prioritise the goals and I believe you. Our country, most of the citizens, save the opposition, have laid their fate at your hands, a responsibility that you must understand and respect and deliver.
My best wishes as an expectant citizen.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix
Pic courtesy: Economic Times
