Things got haywire this summer
with usual summer trips, business, marriages and events. Sorry for the break.
At the start of summer, I had
written in this blog that how important this summer is mainly due to the elections.
We eagerly await monsoons here in this part of world. Schools are set to begin
next week. Transition of seasons makes you feel nostalgic about something as
transient as time spent. I just remember New Year ringing in and we are almost
half way down the road. First World War started 100 years ago. 20th
century which shaped our generation is almost a forgotten just as the great
wars, cold war, Berlin wall, opening of Indian economy and finally Y2k.
Tinaeman square celebrates silver jubilee this summer. It was 1989 then. It was
also 1989 when someone as unknown as Michael chang won French open and this
year it’s known face of Nadal at Roland Garos. It was 1989 when i did my first
Himalayan trek after 10th exam. It was 1989 when India had the last
non coalition government and it is 2014 when we have same again.
25 years is a long time. It is a
quarter of the century. It is also a one third of human life on an average. We
89ers (as we call them at school to batch passed xth in 89) have spent that much time in our education,
career, and family life for those many years. This summer we had opportunity to
revisit that in form of a nostalgic trip. Our gen next has grown to their
primary school. I still remember day in 1990 when karsevaks were shot at and we
heard BBC radio reporting then due to DD blackout. Rajiv Gandhi govt was on
verge of ouster and protagonist was the dangerous man called V P Singh. To
admit even thought leaders had imagined him to be real Hero forget about
teenagers like me. But he ended up leading nation to disaster followed by some
worst governments leading to 91 crises. 91 saw another good PM in P V Narsimharao
who was force behind liberalization executed by Manmonhan Singh. India changed after
that irreversibly. BJP grew in 96 after
failed 13 day experiment and 13 months one in 98. Meanwhile people like H D Devegouda and I K Gujaral
won the roulette. NDA govt in 99 became
first non congress govt to complete full tenure and had some great push towards
infrastructure and development under Vajpayee prior to stumbling on India
shining disaster. Last 10 years have been shambolic with India story at its
rock bottom. Corruption at high , populist subsidies, direction less non decisive
government out of coalition games. I remember
day in 86 when we walked from school which was 7 kms away due to strike of
transporters. That day as we passed by sarasbaug, we saw people distributing pamphlets
of in Ayodhya movement. Latching to that movement, from strength of 2 in 1984
shok sabha till 288 on May 17th in 2014 much water has flown under
Ganges.
After the resounding success of
BJP under Modi on May 17th, I have been closely observing media,
thought leaders, politicians who had put Modi under continuous scrutiny and abuse
for last 12 years. In fact I never believed US and European governments to be
so fool hardy to be influenced by these thoughts. But then west govt always
have played in hands of hidden expansive religious agenda. All these people now
had started being what i term as ‘cautionist’. These are very clever people. In
every article or chat they proclaim to have open mind about Modi’s actions
(which have been great and need to be lauded upon) , but every praise comes
with a foot note of caution. So they have a chance to retreat to their original
positions in case something happens in future which they have been scaring
people about. But if things go as per development vision of Modi and Modi
fulfils promises he made, then they don’t have to lose face. Maybe now only old
congress stable of Iyers, Digvijays are still following ostrich policy but all
those doyens of media, intelligentsia, and activists have fallen in place.
Though some cried accusing Indian voters to be fantasists, but no one was there
to hear these voices. Even foreign media saw a change in stance. Mankind has
always been pro winner. There is no one who supports losers. But life is a
great leveller. Losers have turned into victors and vice versa. What matters
from now on is performance, performance and performance as Viday Balan said in
dirty picture in different context. And within a month Modi has proven that he
can do it. Though this month had strange controversies like Smritu Iranis
education, Gen Suhaag vs V K singh, UP rapes, Pune killing, Beas tragedy and
riots over fb posts ( seems some sinister agenda here as we face assembly
elections in Oct), tragic death of Gopinath Munde and add to that bleak monsoon
predictions and delay in monsoon. This government has its hands full mainly due
to inherited economy. Hope Acche din aayenge. Only time will tell.
Analyzing the elections, no one
predicted such a margin of victory. I think people were really fed up with
inflation, lack of opportunities, corruption, non decisions on key issues. And
young voters really made an impact. They don’t have any baggage of obsolete idealisms.
They care only about growth and opportunities. They care a damn about history.
One may also accede that polarization worked especially in northern states of
UP and Bihar but a stage was set for decisive government without political
compulsions. Modi had caught that imagination as someone who can be trusted to
deliver on promises after 12 years of Gujarat (some may call marketing of
Gujarat). I was initially sympathetic to Arvind Kejriwal and AAP to provide
some option but somehow these people don’t come out as someone with honest interest
to change systems. Many foreign supporters and arm chair philosophers have
fought with me on various forums on putting BJP and Congress in same boat vs
AAP. I am also scared by their funding
patterns which can undermine national security. But the AAP made a self goal by
running away from Delhi and some arbitrary decisions to fight from Varanasi.
The organization was young and needed time. Anyways they can still play a role
of effective opposition as compared to some regional satraps or a dead party. They
need valid policies not driven by egos, direction and should have patience.
Their supporters barring few have vanished from social media for now. But am
sure they are licking their wounds to return on every negative point about new government. So for new government the mantra is to
perform or perish.
IPL happened this summer. Some
credibility was won back thanks to some intervention by court and involvement
of Gavaskar. Initially no one cared but as we saw some terrific cricket on
field by Maxwell, Miller, that catch by Lynn, people started being interested. There
was some good batting by Uthappa, Pandey, some scintillating chases scripted by
Pathan and Mumbai Indians, some tight bowling esp by Narine, Bhajji, some great
fielding. Many young Indian cricketers did well. I feel this was best IPL in terms of cricket
and felt honesty in efforts. But then cricket is on sidelines for a month
thanks to carnival in Brazil and already after first 11 matches we have seen
some great action. Big names have delivered. Absolutely a treat till july 14th.
Then we will change focus to an important series in England. Nadal created history
and Wimbledon will be drowned amidst soccer action as it happens every 4 years.
Shumacher is out of coma just to end on good news for sport lovers.
Pune voters have uprooted cong
and NCP and same trend continued in Maharashtra. 42 seats is not a joke. That
shows anger of people. Hopefully we will see govt change in Mumbai as well. But
state politics has a twist in tale after Munde tragedy. LBT issue also needs
resolution. And four months is long time. Pune has a minister, but no one has
any say on BDP, Metro, Old city development plan, PMPML revival. As we near
monsoons, concretization of roads has taken pace. I am not sure who is driving
this and for what reason?
This was again hot summer worldwide,
with lot of violence in Nigeria, Sudan, Iraq, AfPak, Egypt, Syria, Vietnam,
Thailand, and Ukraine. Even Brazil had demonstrations against world cup. US had
many gun attacks. Of course summer has just set in the northern world.
On personal side, I had lot of
action both on leisure and work side. But as always it’s your children who are
the happiest people during summer. This year was not an exception. Eagerly
awaiting Monsoon to turn this part of world into heaven......
