(M.K.Venu is Executive Editor of Amar Ujala publications group)Prime Minister Narendra Modi's critics have been talking about his studied silence in the face of increasing incidence of communal strife over the past few months. Modi used his Independence Day address to suggest that all forms of violence, including those relating to caste and left-wing extremism, must be eschewed to take the country forward. He used Nepal as an example where left- wing extremists have shunned violence and joined the constitutional mainstream.
Modi said progress will not be possible unless extremism of all kinds are given up by the youth in favour of development. Hopefully, Modi also meant that extreme Hindutva right-wing organisations like Bajrang Dal and other such variants will also actively participate in creating a climate where social tensions are alleviated and everyone agrees to pursue a broad development agenda.
Otherwise, Modi's speech tried to strike all the right notes in terms of pursuing a social sector agenda outlined in the BJP election manifesto. Toilets in all schools by the next Independence Day, model villages to be adopted by legislators, a bank account bundled with Rs.1 lakh insurance for every poor household and a national campaign against female foeticide were some of the programmes Modi projected in his address.
On the economy, he clearly came out in favour of working with the global community in various ways. He emphasised that India cannot work in isolation in the age of economic globalisation. This was probably said to clarify to the world that India's recent decision to defy the WTO on the food security issue did not mean that the NDA government is against engaging with the world. Modi used the Independence Day platform to invite global investors to "Make in India" everything from automobiles to electronic goods to submarines.
The Prime Minister's promise to attract world investments also indicates the NDA government is prepared to forge domestic reforms in tune with its policy of progressive economic globalisation. It remains to be seen how Modi gets the Sangh Parivar elements to be on the same page on many of these decisions. Of late, the Sangh Parivar has been sounding discordant notes in this regard, whether in the context of genetically modified foods or in the opening up FDI in retail, defence etc.
Modi's announcement that the Planning Commission will be replaced by a think tank which will come up with creative ideas is signifies that the NDA government is taking a break from the Nehruvian thought process. The fact is the Planning Commission did perform the role of a think tank earlier too.
Modi has struck the right notes but his biggest challenge will be to have institutions like the bureaucracy, regulatory bodies, judiciary on the same page so that the institutional equilibrium which was disrupted over the past few years is recovered soon.
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