When I first heard of the ‘Open Letter’ by the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (IBN Live) [http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gujarat-cm-narendra-modis-open-letter-to-citizens/183783-53.html], the fit of laughter made me unable to blog. True, of late several politicians back home in India have got on to the tech-savvy brand wagon.
When I say tech-savvy if you think that they have started to peruse technical journals or rely on scientific tools or even act in a logical manner with some acceptable level of common sense, you must be a day dreamer.
All their craze is restricted to is getting an account in Twitter and carrying around a BlackBerry. There are so many new economic theories involving new techniques, new ideas for poverty alleviation and tools to ensure transparency in the administration; but politicians as a class seems unable to grasp them or utilise them. It appears that when it comes to these important issues, they fall back on age old practices and traditional techniques.
The ‘Open Letter’ is one such thing which has been in existence for eons and which suddenly pops up in a politicians mind, whenever he or she finds themselves in trouble. Thus you find President Obama addressing the nation on Radio at the approach of typhoon Irene or PM Cameron delivering a speech to Parliament after London Riots.
So the Gujarat CM has tried something similar, but he is turned to ‘Open Letter’.
What ever the publicity stunt is for, the second open letter (NDTV) [http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/narendra-modi-writes-another-open-letter-to-gujarat-134242] again made me burst out with laughter.
In the letter, the CM talks of poorest of the poor and to deliver fruits of development to him/her. This is the guy who makes fun of Rahul Gandhi (Indian Express) when Rahul Gandhi visits the ‘poorest of poor’ in their villages and huts to actually get an idea, a feel for what their standard of living is all about.
So what does this smarty do for his own photo-op? He goes on a 3 day fast for the development of the state, peace and harmony. I cannot understand how if a Chief Minister, who is the executive head of the state goes on a fast and is incapacitated for 3 days, it would lead to progress, development and peace in his/her state.
I would have thought that 3 days off the work would paralyse the higher administrative function for 3 days, not enhance it. But what do I know? I neither have a BlackBerry nor do I think Open Letters are great.
BTW there is also this eye-brow raising news that the TN Chief Minister supports and has sent representatives (TOI) to take part in the fast function. Seeing that she is egging on her ministerial colleagues to complete all the freebie welfare schemes announced by her at the earliest, (some reports suggest she wants them completed within 2 years), I wonder if she plans to do a Gujarat in TN - finishing off all freebie schemes and then bring in prohibition in time for next elections to sweep up the women voters? Only time will tell.
Me, if I feasted during Anna Hazare fast, would I even think of one now? Fat chance!
When I say tech-savvy if you think that they have started to peruse technical journals or rely on scientific tools or even act in a logical manner with some acceptable level of common sense, you must be a day dreamer.
All their craze is restricted to is getting an account in Twitter and carrying around a BlackBerry. There are so many new economic theories involving new techniques, new ideas for poverty alleviation and tools to ensure transparency in the administration; but politicians as a class seems unable to grasp them or utilise them. It appears that when it comes to these important issues, they fall back on age old practices and traditional techniques.
The ‘Open Letter’ is one such thing which has been in existence for eons and which suddenly pops up in a politicians mind, whenever he or she finds themselves in trouble. Thus you find President Obama addressing the nation on Radio at the approach of typhoon Irene or PM Cameron delivering a speech to Parliament after London Riots.
So the Gujarat CM has tried something similar, but he is turned to ‘Open Letter’.
What ever the publicity stunt is for, the second open letter (NDTV) [http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/narendra-modi-writes-another-open-letter-to-gujarat-134242] again made me burst out with laughter.
In the letter, the CM talks of poorest of the poor and to deliver fruits of development to him/her. This is the guy who makes fun of Rahul Gandhi (Indian Express) when Rahul Gandhi visits the ‘poorest of poor’ in their villages and huts to actually get an idea, a feel for what their standard of living is all about.
So what does this smarty do for his own photo-op? He goes on a 3 day fast for the development of the state, peace and harmony. I cannot understand how if a Chief Minister, who is the executive head of the state goes on a fast and is incapacitated for 3 days, it would lead to progress, development and peace in his/her state.
I would have thought that 3 days off the work would paralyse the higher administrative function for 3 days, not enhance it. But what do I know? I neither have a BlackBerry nor do I think Open Letters are great.
BTW there is also this eye-brow raising news that the TN Chief Minister supports and has sent representatives (TOI) to take part in the fast function. Seeing that she is egging on her ministerial colleagues to complete all the freebie welfare schemes announced by her at the earliest, (some reports suggest she wants them completed within 2 years), I wonder if she plans to do a Gujarat in TN - finishing off all freebie schemes and then bring in prohibition in time for next elections to sweep up the women voters? Only time will tell.
Me, if I feasted during Anna Hazare fast, would I even think of one now? Fat chance!
No comments:
Post a Comment