Rahul Vision aka Pappu Puran

Image Credit: Google Images

April1 is now celebrated as RahulDay in India. Due to his busy schedule he couldn’t address people on his day however four days later he mesmerized India Inc at their annual session of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). For almost one hour he charmed the senses of elite audience gathered in the hall with his awe inspiring anecdotes and his thought exasperating vision about India. Average people with advanced degree in education failed to comprehend his tutorial in managing & empowering billion people and took on to social media to ridicule him. Words words came straight out of his heart, when your heart is so big, why bother exercising brain. Here are some of the key points from his address, summed up for your convenience. His fans affectionately call him Pappu, and his sermon summarized as Pappu-Puran

Leadership
Rani ki Janshi was not a slip of tongue. People failed to get the intended message. There’s this Leader for a Country concept, and there’s a Country for a leader notion. Lightbulb!!

Policy
Statement1: Politics is your shirt, politics is your pants.
Statement2. Politics is poison people should stay away from it.
Message:  Eff with Modi’s Five F foumula of Farm to fabric cotton policy — Go Naked.
Original Gandhi wore only a dhoti, Borrowed last name Gandhi asks us to go even a step beyond original Gandhi, “shun your cloths”. (Poonam Panday & Salman Khan are excited)

Empowering People
1) Put people on Pot (and solve problems)
“I want to empower Billion People and that will solve all the problems.”
Let me help you decipher the depth of this gen. “Power is Poison” – Pappu at AICC Jaipur; Pot is Poison – Drug Enforcement. Using grade 5 algebra, power = pot. Give Pot to every individual. People in advanced economy & democracy like US are fighting to legalize marijuana and this visionary is promising crack to all his subjects!! Compare with Modi who is state still has alcohol prohibition & here’s a leader promising weed!! World do not have any problem to being with; its people’s mind that creates problems. If people’s minds are sedated by dope, there won’t be problem.

2) Make people your Boss
Make every person in the country a Boss and that’s how people will feel empowered. Details cannot be spelled out in one hour but rest assured there will be a way to make everyone Boss of someone. How?
Think of a Bee-hive, each hexagon represents each individual. Based on what angle you look at it, every hexagon sits over the other!! (Salman scratching his head now)

Guy on Horse
A guy on the horse won’t come and magically solve your problems. People need to come out of British mentality. Transportation has moved beyond horses & carts. Someone will come in chopper (scraped form the scam) and will save you. No he did not take a dig at Modi here, have you even seen Modi riding a horse or as a matter of fact even a congress person?
Q: And where will the Guy in chopper come from? I
A: If Gandhi is delivering the sermon, the guy obviously will come from Gandhinagar!!

Water Management
India is an ancient civilization. 2000 years ago we worshiped rivers as a source of energy; we never faced any water problems then. You are bunch of whiners, creating a problem that already had a solution two millennium ago.

Skill Development
Every citizen will be multi-talented. Girish the painter will also be skilled to Girish the carpenter.

Accountability
Modi said, don’t aspire to be something; aspire to do something. To hell with that; the country is complex. You can’t do anything here. My family couldn’t do anything in 60 years, your PM hasn’t done in 9 years, and so you can’t do anything either. I’ll give you “power” and you solve your own problem.

India Different from foreign nations
He showed an example how other countries hold their people’s hand.
And then he shows how Congress (so far) treats their people (and country). Shows by holding a man by shoulders with his both hands – from behind and only hugging distance away; No dirty KaranJohar “kantaben” thoughts in mind. That was just a metaphor.

Comedian with Compassion
He provided much needed comic relief to the stress stricken country. How often you see a leader who understands the pain of the people and takes quick action. If you think his speech offered you humor, you can return the favor by giving him and his party a break, a well-deserved vacation.

The Padma Bhasan
Padma = flower that blooms in mud. Bhasan = Speech
Not sure what kind of animosity writers have against Gandhi family. Remember that Maut ke Saudagar Speech of Sonia Gandhi during 2007 Gujarat Elections, and now this to her little kid. .
A Padma Bhusan is in waiting for the writer of the next hit speech.

The Standing Ovation
Finally for the people who are wondering why India Inc. gave standing ovation to a speech average people with above intelligence failed to figure head & tail out of it. The standing ovation was not for the speech, it was for the speaker who could be the potential leader. Imagine the situation, you ask question in English, you get response in French and you are free to interpret it in German!! Confused? Let me give you an example.
Businessman: Sir I want to build a factory.
Ans. Boss if you are expecting an answer from me, keep expecting.
Result: Factory is built on a land allocated for a public park.

Not covering “India is a Bee-hive because a lot has been talked about it on social-media including queen Bee and you already are enlightened about it.
This is just the beginning. More chapters will be added as he opens up his heart even more.
Sarah Palin was just a vice-presidential candidate. This guy wants to be your leader. Wake up.

 

Ideas Drive development not Aid

Capital New Delhi witnessed addresses from two non-congress ruled state Chief Ministers. Gujarat CM Narendra Modi spoke at an India Today conclave, an address that was followed by millions across the world. Nitish Kumar CM of Bihar addressed people from Bihar at a local rally – for most part a “whining pep talk” to milk more benefits from center for the ailing state of Bihar. Modi boasted “Gujarat is growing, follow us to prosper”, Nitish threatened “Bihar is devastated & hungry, feed us (else await consequences)”.

There’s a saying that you don’t compare apples with oranges, however one can’t help to draw comparison between two addresses mainly due to the fact that one tried to delude the audience and even nation about others development in an attempt to hide his own incompetence to grow. Nitish Kumar alleged that Gujarat is growing because of a special status given by the center and a similar status can help Bihar to grow as well. If Bihar hasn’t grown in decades even after being blessed with special status from Nature (abundance of natural resources) what makes Nitish thinks that special status from center can turn the tide?

Gujarat’s Special Status (of Neglect)

Let’s see the Gujarat case first and what the state has earned in the name of special status. In 1960 the state was created with empty platter, losing Mumbai a major business hub along with major Gujarati entrepreneur to sister state Maharashtra, Gujarat started with almost a clean stale. In next forty years no major industrial investment from center; a thriving industrial city of Ahmedabad, once a textile capital of Asia was crippled due to lack of interest from motivation from center. What was supposed to be the lifeline of Gujarat, Narmada Dam Project was stalled by center under the pressure of vested interest groups; all under congress rule both in State & Center. Longest cost line of India was in a state of despair for most part. IPCL (Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd) was one venture that was eventually taken over by Reliance. Contrary to the preached notion by Nitish, the states like Punjab-Haryana in North, Maharashtra in West, Tamil Nadu in south & West Bengal in East have consistently earned “most favors” from center; mainly due to state leadership making effective pitch at a right time. So to sum it up the special status that Gujarat has earned from Center is “ignored & snubbed”. Can Nitish really afford that for Bihar? It’s the Gujarati entrepreneurship that kept the economy alive amidst all the neglect from the center; and under Modi Gujarat found favorable grounds to grow & prosper.

Gujarat Miracle – simple idea

You don’t need special status to grow; you need special (inner) strength, you need special mind-set to grow. The Gujarat Miracle was possible due to the NaMo-Mantra – “desire to do something against all odds versus aspire to be something at any cost”. Modi magic lies in converting challenges into opportunities (chances to improve & grow). Compare the handling of natural disaster by the two statement governments and the answers seem to be obvious. 2001 Gujarat Earthquake and 2007 Bihar floods! Simple ideas were implemented to bring revolutionary changes in Power, agriculture, education, water management and women empowerment. None required any special grants from center. Modi has a unique ingenuity to think out of the box and draw synergies through existing initiatives. Take two examples from his last two Delhi addresses; 1) “Five F Funda” for Cotton – Farm to Fiber, to Fabric, to Fashion to Foreign. Not only this helps cotton growers by bringing a local market and better appreciation for their product, but also develops a parallel industry that can thrive on readily available raw material!! 2) Insisting a tire manufacturer to grow rubber trees in state’s tribal belt. A win-win situation – manufacturer gets local raw material, and at the same time offers an opportunity of growth for tribal belt. Need driven two distinct approaches, bottom up & top down; both bringing comprehensive development bridging the supply chain gaps.

Earning special status vs. seeking one

In terms of development, special status is not something you seek; it’s something you earn by reputation. Modi created a business friendly environment in Gujarat that earned him a special status form businesses not just from India but from abroad as well. The saga of Tata is an epic, how a Rs. 2.00 SMS to Ratan Tata created a new hitherto inexistent sector in the Gujarat! Vibrant Gujarat is not a center sponsored summit, it’s a brain child of visionary NaMo. Modi developed Gujarat to a degree that gave a sense of pride to every Indian, Nitish & company devastated Bihar to an extent that ashamed every Bihari.

Coercion Model

Nitish Kumar when became CM of Bihar, blamed Lalu et al for the destruction of Bihar, later he blamed economy for lack of development in Bihar and now he’s playing the victimhood card to seek federal assistance. Nitish’s Bihar Model resonates more to a neighboring country’s coercion model. Run down your state to a complete anarchy and then seek aid from superpower, threatening them “you help us to protect your interests”. Sounds pretty much like an extortion from an organized crime gang. I must admit though that one special aid that Nitish can put in place right away is a shipment of contraceptive to control the unchecked growth of Bihar population; only thing that is growing in Bihar above national average. People of Bihar are very industrious, and intelligent. They are the prodigy of the Chanakya and Nalanda institutions. We see Biharis doing exceptionally well in civil services exams, are very competitive in public &private sector jobs. They do not need special status; all they need is a right environment to flourish. I hope people of Bihar makes a right decision in coming elections

The Comparison (Raja Bhoj vs. …)

So let’s compare the mood, message and mentality of both the addresses, comparing diamond vs. coal.

One breathes air of optimism, other exhales pessimism. One is patriotic in his message other is parasitic. One showed us a dream; other scared us with a nightmare. One offered ideas to prosper, other begged to survive. One shows us a path to flourish; other spreads a sense of despair.

Here’s one leader who has a vision to take nation forward, who believes in a comprehensive development and who preaches India First, and there’s other who cries foul and promotes vested interest at the cost of national interest. It is clearly evident who is divisive & who’s cohesive.

If aid drives development, all the aid recipient nations would have become economic super power now.

It’s not an aid; it’s the idea that breeds development.

 

“A Full Glass” Illuminated

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About a week after Narendra Modi’s address at SRCC, it was Shahi Tharoor’s turn to address student body in capital. Even though he claimed in his speech that he was not in college to make any political statements, he couldn’t refrain to allude on Modi’s famous perspective about “My glass is full” made during SRCC address. In his address to students Mr. Tharoor said “To me, indeed, it is half empty and we need to put something in it to make it full,” With all due respect if I may say, Mr. Tharoor you lack vision to understand the wisdom.

Glass is Full is a metaphor on motivation open to wide interpretation. One way to looks at it as, rather than looking at emptiness within you, nurture a vision to see that there is “something” within the apparent “nothing”. Bit more scientifically looking at it, your glass is always filled with matter; half of it is may be relatively less condensed. The motivational thought around this is that the inspiration is within you, if you look for it.

Full Glass is about complementing the material half with the other abstract, emotional or intelligence half and getting the best out of it. Battle of Longewala is a glorious chapter in India’s war history. Heavily outnumbered Major Chandpuri had an option to retreat; instead he chose to see his “glass full”. He compensated with courage, where he lacked in substance. He and his troops stood the ground for the entire night and halted the march of Pakistani troops into Indian Territory until dawn when IAF Hunters became active to finish the job.(Controversy or not longewala is just an example, there are other examples where outnumbered and underdog have turned the tide by simply getting the best out of the situation)

 “A Full Glass” – It’s not all about striving to achieve the best; it’s about making the best out of what you have.

 Beethoven, Sudha Chandran, Stephen Hawking and many more excelled in their field just by churning out the most from what they had (or not).

 Modi only speaks words that are backed by his actions. Other leaders in India may complain about the inefficient system, lack of infra-structure or other challenges and give up on it. Modi on the other hand delivers with the same bureaucracy, same procedures, same files & paperwork and yet he has been able to remove or minimize the red-tape and made the system efficient.

Image courtesy Google Images

Albeit my strong viewpoint on congress leadership, I still have high regards for some congress parliamentarians and you are on top of that list. India anticipated a huge gain when you joined the parliament but for most part we have seen you in the news for wrong reasons. Seems like your attempts to “put in something to make it full”, are getting you into controversies. If I may humbly request, instead of trying to make your glass full, may be you can take a lesson from Modi and see your Glass Full. The inspiration (the illusive other half) could be within you.

 

Gandhi comes full circle

Composite Image using images from Google Images

Earlier this week Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi addressed the students & staff of Shri Ram College of Commerce. SRCC is India’s premier school for higher education in commerce and Economics.

Modi started his address with, “I come from the state of Gujarat, State of Mahatma Gandhi & Sardar Patel”.  It’s clearly evident from his tenure as CM for more than a decade that he has an Iron will like Patel to make things happen, however Gandhi may not seem apparent to some even on his veneer, may be because we tend to reminisce Gandhi with his passive non-violent approach. Paid media and fringe group with vested interest consistently laid baggage on Modi making it difficult to judge him with a secular scope.

 What made Gandhi a Mahatma was his ability to appeal and influence masses to bring a positive change in them.  Gandhi gave people a will to stand for a cause. He moved the masses and channeled a collective determination into a powerful voice that can trigger a change. Gandhi mantra was soon successfully followed by many others across the globe to project their voice, to stand for their rights. One such voice addressed humanity about half a century ago and said “I have a dream …” Gandhi Mantra now had additional elements to it – Hope & Dream. The dream seen in the day light came to realization pretty soon.  Half a century later Gandhism makes a full circle, and was echoed at SRCC — “My Glass if Full”, and this time not just a dream but also a vision to achieve it.

Nov 6, 1913 Gandhi Begins “Great March” in South Africa to defend Indian rights.  2000+ people marched with determination to voice for their rights. This wrote the first chapter of Gandhism, a mantra soon to be followed for larger causes.

             Half a Century later and half way across the globe from Gandhi’s home land …
Aug 28, 1963 Dr. King addressed 200000+ civil rights advocates gathered at the steps of Lincoln Memorial; he gave people a hope and a dream

                     Half a Century later and back in the Land of Gandhi …
Feb 6, 2013 Modi addressed SRCC, an event televised live and was followed by 20Million+ across the nation. He shared a dream and he showed a vision to achieve it.

Sixty years ago we attained independence from Imperial rule; it is a time to attain independence from dynasty rule.

Gandhi Wisdom
(Image courtesy – Google Images)

If nation makes a right choice, this could be a defining moment in the history of Modern India.
Gandhi gave Swaraaj, Modi can bring Suraaj.
(btw: Gujarat has been riot free (non-violent) for last eleven years & counting under Modi; and riots did happen when Mahatma was around)