Media Deserves Credit?

Never mind what any critic might say: the fact remains the media has done more than full justice to recent developments in the political field for which it deserves the fullest compliments. Practically every aspect of the elections and its effect thereafter have been covered and credit must be given where credit is due.
In the television field both Arnab Goswami and Rajdeep Sardesai competed with each other and the sheer energy that CNN-IBN and Times Now expended calls for applause. The print media was even more comprehensive, with brilliant articles and pictorial presentation. If Narendra Modi went overboard in organisational terms, the print media was not too far behind in educating a demanding public.
By and large Narendra Modi has received full marks for not only his planning of events but for the thoroughness in which he excelled. One must admire not only Modi and his team but all those who helped him in running the oath-taking ceremony without the slightest hitch. The nature of the Cabinet has received applause.
Business Line (May 28) said “the Prime Ministerial Council of Ministers is not a bad start for another beginning – governing the country.” Praising the Ministerial appointments, the paper said “a political Cabinet is not a constraint in getting the best advice and one hopes Modi and his team will seek it whether to revive the economy or restructure the railways.”
The appointment of seven women to Ministerial posts has been well received with Business Line saying “this part of the Ministry-making exercise has Modi’s stamp on it.” The Economic Times (May 27) said “the pruning of Ministries is indeed desirable as also the clubbing of departments that have synergy under one Minister.”
The Hindu (May 28) said “the Modi stamp on the ministry formation was unmistakable” with the Prime Minister “making no overt attempt to placate sulking party seniors or demanding regional allies.”
The Times of India (May 26) thought that Modi “has demonstrated a propensity for out-of-box thinking by inviting SAARC heads of state to his swearing – in ceremony. It said “The move has paid off handsomely with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s acceptance of the invitation, along with other neighbouring heads of State.” The paper said Modi “has moved away from the belligerent rhetoric of his election campaign… calming nerves in the region by sending out the signal that he will be more statesman-like as Prime Minister.” The paper said “if India aspires to take-off economically, then settling relations with its neighbours, including China, will be an enormous asset – and the same applies to other South Asian neighbours.”
The New Indian Express (May 28) said “Modi wants to fashion economic diplomacy as a major tool” which “makes sense both from a strategic and business perspective.”
Deccan Herald (May 28 ) said Modi has “struck the right notes in talking about a strong, developed and inclusive India.” By keeping the Ministry small, Modi has indicated he means business and in inducting as many as seven women, he has sent out a strong message that he is for “women’s empowerment” said the paper. Keeping aged leaders as well as children of party leaders out” continued the paper, “is admirable”. The Hindustan Times (May 27) thought that Modi has “pulled off a diplomatic coup of sorts in inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif”. While nothing much may come out of it, the paper said “it does set a good precedent for India-Pakistan relations”.
The fact that Mr Modi has put his own stamp on the Cabinet under his regime is inescapable, it added. Concluding, the paper said that “as he steps into India’s most crucial office Mr Modi is off to a good start that few before him have got” and “given his track record” we have little to suggest that he will not hit the ground running.”
The Asian Age (May 27) felt that Mr Modi’s team does not look all that lean and mean and that there could be no better person to handle Finance Minister than Arun Jaitley, considering “the economic mess that Modi’s government has inherited”. However it said “the underlying strength of the new government is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be in the driver’s seat.” One hopes, the paper added “this will be new wine in new bottle”.
(The writer is a senior columnist and former editor
of Illustrated Weekly)

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