Modi: Leadership, Governance and Performance is a book which covers BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate’s style of leadership and his overall performance till date as a non-judgmental look from the viewpoint of the liberal Indian. It also focuses on the political economy of Gujarat and the key elements in the rise of the BJP”s prime ministerial aspirant.
The book discusses Modi’s ideas, energy and Chinese like audacity in implementation. The writer Vivian Fernandes also points out that if Modi gets the job he covets, he will have a unique opportunity to unite Indians in joint endeavour for national greatness or tear the social compact that has bound the nation together for over sixty-five years. Modi is a great learner; he has it in him to remake India for the better. He provides a vital perspective on how effective leadership can provide outcome-focused governance, the only way India would ensure a better life for its citizens.
In the very first chapter ‘Compulsive Campaigner’, writter describes Modi as an only ruling leader with a philosophy of governance with an intention to make government work like a team and to secure involvement of people in development. It also discusses his life from the age of 8, when he used to attend RSS’s balshakhas till now.
Second chapter ‘The Shield of Development’ discusses that the talk of development is just a shield for Modi. Since 2000-01, since he has become Chief Minister, Gujarat has grown annually at 8.85 per cent. There is a Gujarat model of development with its reliance on private enterprise, port–development (like China’s Shenzen special economic zone) and investment in infrastructures like roads, power and a gas grid. Industrial promotion has been a leitmotif of successive Gujarat administrations regardless of personality or party. While earlier it was done by officials, Modi now leads the investment effort loudly, and visibly, from the front. So while there is no Modi model of development, there is a Modi way of executing it.
If political stability matters in a State known for revolving door chief ministers, if there is value in social peace (despite uneasy relations between the principal religious communities), if certainty of policies and quickness of decision-making have an appeal to investors, credit must be given to Modi for Gujarat’s near nine per cent growth, without terming it exceptional.
When one examines the quality of growth, Modi’s hand no longer remains hidden. Eight per cent agricultural growth in a semi-arid State is commendable, especially because it has been achieved despite much of the Narmada water flowing into the sea. The rationing of power to farm pumps, the provision of round the clock electricity to rural homes, revival of the agricultural extension system, paving of rural roads, a vigorous check dam movement, liberty to farmers to sell to organised retailers and food processors, and the propagation of water saving technologies like sprinkler irrigation have helped.
This book is a refreshing change from most of the books in the market as it is recognises Modi”s leadership and parts where he was not much successful without being biased to any party.
– Heena Nanda
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