As a rule, I have not spoken about politics in the past. I’d like to break this self-imposed rule this time. I support Prime Minister Modi and his national government. I think it’s crucial to vote for our Prime Minister, through his candidates, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. And I seek to share with you the thoughts that have guided this decision.
The obvious reasons from his government’s past record have been covered by many, and I will quickly run through some of them. Dramatic reduction in poverty, emphatic strengthening of the national finances and fisc, vast improvements in infrastructure (I see it in Mumbai, the city I live in, and also Varanasi, the city my family hails from), rising GDP growth rates, investments in science & tech, incentives for start-ups & small-business loans (something I hear about from my readers, who are largely the youth), vastly improved welfare delivery (which has reduced leakages that were common in the past).
All good things. But the key reason is this: The long peace and Global Order that emerged 1945 onwards, after the end of World War II, is clearly coming to an end. Wars are raging across many parts of the world. Old alliances are breaking down. The world is not able to come together to manage Global problems like the after-effects of a once-in-a-generation pandemic like Covid, unsustainable trade imbalances, debt crisis (including in the rich developed world, frankly), piracy issues in the seas, vast reduction in the costs of hi-tech weapons of war (which allows terrorists like Houthis to largely blockade the critical Suez Canal, for instance), the climate crisis… These are timebombs waiting to blow up on the face of the planet. And the world is unprepared to handle most of them.
When a global order crumbles, there is usually a time of chaos, tumult, and often, war. We are living in a period of tumult & intense change. And how the world lands – on its feet or not – in this period, will decide the new global order over the next many decades, perhaps even a few centuries. At such critical times, one needs top-of-the-line leadership. The US had exceptional leadership during World War I & II. It led to the present world order that emerged, and it was very advantageous for the US. At this critical stage in world history, we Indians need leadership that has intense motivation, competencies that are top-of-the-line, the ability to work hard, and the and the capability to carry the masses along. And skills to engage with the world with firm clarity; with kindness when possible, but with steely resolve when necessary.
There are many who love and admire Prime Minister Modi. Some do not. To those who don’t, my appeal, at this critical juncture in world history is this: we need a strong government with a clear majority, that can engage with the world in a robust manner and ensure that India emerges at the top at the end of this period of tumult. If India is strong, all of us Indians at least have a chance of being strong. If India weakens (like it did in the late 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s), it is guaranteed that we will all weaken. Remember, because we have a strong government, we can negotiate resolutely with more powerful countries and do things which are in our national interest (like buying oil from Russia, which has kept our inflation in check). We need Chanakyan leadership at this critical time for our nation, our civilisation. We need Prime Minister Modi to continue. I will be voting for the NDA candidate in my constituency. I hope you will too.
(Source Twitter handle of Amish)
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