The NaMo Mantra

Modi's speech at the India Today Conclave was a historic moment, the Delhi establishment and countless people across the nation watched him talk on whether the NaMo mantra will work for India. Last night's speech is unarguably his best address in 2013. He wasn't overtly political though he took a couple of very subtle potshots at his political opponents. He spoke extempore and presented his vision for India- something very different from our current political discourse.

Following are the key takeaways from his address.

1. NaMo mantra is not about a new revolution. He focusses on bringing change and progress using the very same system that has pulled the country down for so long.

2. He talks about Jan Andolan in development. There is a need to change the perception in the minds of the people about development. Development is a combined effort and government alone cannot bring about development.

3. Use our innate strengths and ancient wisdom to achieve success in this fast changing world.

4. MNREGA should have been a development guarantee scheme instead of employment guarantee scheme. The whole approach towards governance should shift to empowerment-based from the current entitlement-based approach.

5. Democracy is not just about voting someone into power. A true democracy is one where the people and the government work hand-in-hand to build the nation.

6. He talks about changing the mindset of bureaucracy. His message to bureaucrats- Do not serve the government in power instead serve the people.

7. He says 'country doesn't need acts, it needs action'. A mere implementation of acts and legislation that is already in place.

8. He talks about bringing in new technologies into administration to bring in transparency and reduce corruption. He gives the example of computerisation of Gujarat's PDS system. He also mentions that Gujarat's grievance redressal system 'Swagat' allows him to study the problems that exist in the delivery of government services. The root cause of corruption is that the decision making person has the power to discriminate. If the state is policy-driven and every policy is defined in black and white, corruption will come down by itself.

9. Modi says 'Institutionalize ideas, leader-centric policies wont last long'. 

10. He talks about demographic dividend being one of our biggest strengths today. Democracy is also one of our natural strengths that we can use to compete with China on the world stage.

11. Integrated development is possible only when the large industries source their raw materials locally and create more employment in the process.

12. He touches upon various topics like manufacturing fertilizers from urban solid waste & encouraging farmers to use it to reduce the fertilizer subsidy bill and allowing private players to operate rail lines to drive home the point that only novel ideas can bring change and progress. He also talks about some innovative schemes that his government has implemented like Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Abhiyan.

13. He expresses his personal belief in renewable energy. Gujarat is one of the first governments in the world to have a climate change department and the first in India to have a solar policy of its own. Innovative schemes like solar panels on top of canals will help solve the land acquisition problem, stop evaporation of water from the canal and produce clean energy.

14. The age of military power is over. Knowledge is the 21st century power. Indian youth with all their zeal for knowledge will go around the world and assert themselves.

15. India should build on its capabilities to become the largest supplier of arms in the world, not the largest buyer. 

16. When asked about his party's opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail he says 'Indian manufacturing has to be strengthened and a level playing field should be created before FDI is brought in.'

17. His definition of secularism- Protect every citizen and appease no one.

18. When asked about the sorry state of PSUs in India he says 'Government has no business to be in business.'

I think he is the only politician in the world to keep such a large audience glued with rapt attention even while he spoke about things like urban solid waste management. It just amazed me how the Delhi establishment queued up to listen to this man from Gujarat speak in Hindi. In short, the NaMo mantra is about changing the approach towards governance, bringing a 'YES WE CAN' attitude. He carried a message of hope.

NaMo mantra is not just a mantra of development and good governance, it is a mantra of hope and an alternate vision for India, a mantra to claim back our rightful place in the world, finally a mantra to help us reach our destiny.

A message to all Modi-baiters: Sometimes in life, you need to give up, grow up and move on!

'Lets Together be the Change' is his message.





Photo Courtesy: India Today