Modi Govt's 2 year of Intent, Development would supersede!!

Multiple Yojnas (Programs), last mile reach through "Mann ki Baat" - being connected to the smallest hamlet in rural India and display of intent to take the country on the path of Socio-Economic development is what the two years of the governments was all about.

One can not expect a sudden surge in the development post a regime change, but it is all about a conducive environment which is essential for a country to move forward. Work on the ground level would not have been so evident (power cuts are still incessant in many parts of the country, last mile connectivity is still a concerns) but the intent to take the country on the world's fastest growing economic speed path is evident and accorded.

More than any opposition that the current government should prepare themselves off, it is the natural events that the governments should keep a track on. No opposition party can harm the ruling party than the natural disasters that pose a threat to the government. These events pose a threat on the government's preparedness and its ability to pacify the situation to normalcy. National Disaster Management front has to be buckled up to face events like "Himachal Blaze", monsoon's preparedness, Chennai Floods and many more. These horrific events have a direct impact on the economic well being of the nation and hence its approach is talked over on various global platforms.

On one side if the government is pushing the path of development then it should also measure the acts which can drag its intent of forward push. Our reliance on environment for economic prosperity is evident but its reverse impact can be as detrimental to the economy that it can leave an irreparable damage.

Wish and hope for a healthy well being but as we all are aware things are not rosy on environment front - Hence, are we prepared?

Human Index improvement and Ecological Well Being is essential to enjoy the Economic Advancement!!

Ecstatic with the recent state bound poll results, BJP led NDA expanded its presence in Assam and sprouted its existence in Kerela and West Bengal but on the other hand Congress is staring at a big survival question mark. What strategy to be adopted? How to adopt? Karnataka (an extremely vital state) is going to polls and is on the block. Who to lead and how to project the leader? Imminent congress leaders do believe that an introspection and surgery is essential.

Whatever the case may be, if we are concerned about India's development and is progress, results were progressive and hence keeps our growth engine intact. Opposition to GST would narrow with TMC viewing to back the indirect tax reform and support would only widen. Bankruptcy Law would start showing its effect soon and with GST on the block, monsoon session of the Parliament would be an unprecedented one.

Things do seems to be going forward for economic progression but are we heading towards an inclusive social well being as well? NO we are not. Natural calamity in the form of drought has taken a massive toll in more than 10 states. We need more than transportation of water, we need coherent discussion and laws to deal with such disasters. States have to adhere to sensitivity and look for more collaboration with the center. All parties should focus on discussion and should form a formidable act which can cater to people who need it most in these states. Any loss of days in the parliament or deadlock would only highlight the insensitivity of our legislatures.

Human index improvement and ecological development is essential to enjoy the Economic Advancement.

Reform Springs sans Political Mileage

Last couple of weeks has been a pot boiler of events for Indians across globe, all thanks to the domestic circumstances which prevailed for quiet some time but culminated in last few weeks. Long due enactment of Bankruptcy Act (with an astonishingly majority of "Ayes" at lightening speed @ both houses) and with a failed-coup try by the central government in Uttarakhand, this fortnight culminated with lots apprehensions and curiosity.

Apprehensions because of hastiness shown by the BJP led opposition in Uttarakhand. Coup styled events led to the President's rule for some days but status-quo prevailed and state Congress leader Harish Rawat was back at the helm. This hastiness raised many eyebrows but all waited till the floor test and BJP had to retract. Yet again a humiliation in a state. Why is BJP not able to mark its presence in various states where it has emerged as a main opposition but couldn't be at the helm. Many believes that the central strategy creators for the party do not understand the ground realities and their tactics are whipped away easily. Let's hope that BJP's think tanks do realize that actions are taken on the ground and strategy formulation should inculcate the ground zero sentiments. Central Congress strategists on the other hand gave all their leeway to Rawat to react and act with freedom. The results are well known to us.

BJP led government should on the other hand be appreciated for their ability to enact the Bankruptcy law which was pending for more than 4 years at an alarming speed. This hastiness and collaboration with all other parties for its smooth enactment highlights their will and intent to move things up. Mauritius Treaty's amendments and moving towards level playing field for many foreign institutional and portfolio investors is absolutely spot on. This states and highlights India's efforts across globe to curd the Black money menace and brings under scrutiny of possible round-tipping of Indian funds.

Wish and hope that the collaborative effort of the government should also help in passing the much delayed GST act and brings in uniformity in the indirect tax structuring. The biggest and mega reforms are still not tick marked yet.

Democracy in Shambles - Needs Revival across Nations

We all have now witnessed the infamous Turkish Parliament brawl, one parliamentarian punching the other, shouting, screaming, abuses and what not & these are the legislators who have the powers to make, amend or break the laws for the benefit of the masses in general. Ask any Indian, were the scenes of Turkey Parliament brawl amazes them? Answer would be NO. Its a deja vu for many as we have seen our legislators doing what not in parliament. But this piece is not about comparing the acts of one parliament with another, this is more about Democracy and the progressive nature  this style of ruling boasts about. Is it really reeling benefits for nations across globe?

No doubt that every one in Democracy has the right to speech, freedom of expression and various other freedoms which none autocratic nation would enjoy but when it comes to administration - Democracy is not so fulfilling for many. You have the right to select your leaders but democracy limits the execution. In India, we have been hearing about the implementation of GST (one of many enactments)for a decade now, Modi-led government has completed 2 years now but has we witnessed the universally levied tax coming to fore? We might have few acts passed in Lok Sabha but Rajya Sabha (upper house) holds the enactments (blame the minority which the ruling government has). Administrative powers of Democracy if needs to be clipped or ratified should be done. If Pro-Democracy means snarls, delays or indecisiveness then I don't think we are enjoying our Democracy.

People are questioning the odds of Donald Trump becoming the President of The USA and are also questioning the choices which the people of US are making. I believe and has full faith on the choices which the people would make but if this freedom of choice leads them to an arena of indecisiveness then they would also question their judgement.

Also, if we are blessed with Democracy then repeated pronouncements of being able to choose what one wants and what one chooses to be, is not the only pro-factor of democracy but execution of choices, enactments of fundamentally beneficial acts and progressive approach towards mass benefits is what justice, equality, freedom and being republic is all about.

Legislators should have the onus to perform and enunciate the benefits of democracy but acts of hooliganism and disorder creates an irreparable mental void for the masses and it might take decades before one starts trusting the law and legislators again.

Please Mind the Gap/Void!! 

Trump or Hillary- What's in it for India?

People who are following the next big event which would have a global impact - selection of President of The USA (POTUS) 2016 would be keeping a close eye on the nearing finalisation of nomination of Donald trump and Hillary Clinton for the race to become the face of USA.

Lots of hue and cry, blame games are on, mud slinging and tantrums coupled with unprecedented comments and visuals are becoming the part of the mega campaigns. Worldwide people are guessing and creating an opinion on who and how would impact them. Who should be the right candidate and what changes would her or his selection mean to them.

India who would surpass China in the GDP % growth in couple of years as predicted by global financial bodies and are putting their bets on India to catapult the global growth rate, has lots of expectations from this campaign. From an IT perspective our global footprint is expanding and our resources are being given opportunities on foreign soils, can this get hit? Outsourcing issues are at the helm. US's Shale gas discovery and its unprecedented event to export the crude has crudely hit the market in terms of its value (rock bottomed)today. How will US deal with anti global terrorism acts of ISIS? Will India be benefited out of this? An extremely important question on how will we have to deal with terrorists and their lethal activities across globe. Foreign policy on US's association with Russia, Israel, North Korea and China is still not completely answered by any of the prospects.

Trump's mockery of Indian accent which has been an act of deliberations and arguments should not be judged on the way his final strategy would be framed upon. One must understand that there is a huge difference when one campaigns and when one gets elected. His harsh and critical remarks would only get subdued if he would ever get accommodated in Washington DC. On the other hand Hillary Clinton has not made any stark remarks on her foreign policy structures, she is still measuring each and every statement to its best without clarifying her thoughts and leaving the audience guessing. That's her style and one should respect that. Rallying on women power is something she enjoys and has command on but it's too quick to say anything now.

However, as of now I believe the race is still long way to go and would give each candidate a 50-50 chance of steering the way ahead. But yes, too radical and too irrational remarks would not help Donald for a long time. Mind the GAPS!! 

Indifferent about “Nationalism” deception..

It’s been months now that in some or the other way an anti-nationalist or nationalist specific agenda has overpowered the prime time news bits and grabbed the headlines of various newspapers, journals and periodicals. Jibes by one party worker and counters by others, stalling the Parliament’s functioning, rethinking about our Constitutions’ fundamentals and its validity today and religious/caste/creed based issues are most widely discussed in forums, conclaves and confederations. Does our populations’ majority ruled middle class is actually concerned about these debates and their validity? Do these issues have any fundamental effect on their lives? Mere topics which are much talked about during their free time tea rounds with friends and families. That's it!!

 We are actually indifferent about such issues, believe it or not. Then what actually is important, what matters to us and what these political establishments should discuss to become relevant. Simple and the answer is known to all but it’s the lack of intent which is the major problem. Survival of a 5 year term with more of discussions on these sensitive cum invalid discussions and no elementary work on ground is the way a government finishes its term. And if a regulator shows any intent then opposition halts every ounce of efforts displayed by the legislature.

We are only concerned about development, upliftment of infrstructure agenda, bringing people above poverty line and making mass employment opportunities. Do we hear about such agendas on a daily basis? We would have a broad grin and laugh off. Whether you are tolerant enough or intolerant to issues, basic survival necessities is what a person needs and direly awaits for. Till the basic survival amenities are not fulfilled, these anti-national or national agendas are just discussion points. They stand no relevance for major section of our society. That is the reality and it’s relevant. Hope the political parties take a note and just not work for another term but a decade of relevance for masses.

When our dirty & Ill - timed Internal politics supersedes the External economic push!

Brent Crude trading at ~ $36/barrel and West Texas Intermediate at sub $35/barrel, these prices are so encouraging for country like India which imports more than 70% of its energy needs that multi-year floored crude prices would directly give the economy a great impetus. A push that would be so needed to raise our growth trajectory in 8 - 9% range. A range of growth which is achievable with little help from our internal political parties' consents. One of the reform which would steal the lime light would be the passage of GST. A standardized tax applicable on all goods and services. We have a structure ready with deliberations on. But if these deliberations are held in a manner that it blocks the logical flow of action then it's appalling. GST's implementation is doing the rounds for quiet sometime now and when finally it seems happening and the act getting enacted and formulated with all nitty gritties being discussed, National Herald happened.

When the government wanted GST so badly to make the "Make in India" campaign successful and other schemes launched by our ambitious PM a story to remember, this revelation of National Herald (NH) Scam was badly timed. Understand this, the scam has already happened, facts and figures are known, the alleged convicts are known and they are here to stay and you can get hold of them yet again but revelation in the beginning of the winter session was really pathetically timed. Why timing is critical because we have yet again lost a complete session of our Parliament which was so needed because of this NH Scam revelation.

GST lost to NH Scam. We are left with 3 working days of winter session and other amendments, enactments and policies are lined up, lets see how can the government push for the same. Gandhis were summoned on 19th Dec, if they were summoned on 9th January, 2016 what could have changed? Atleast we could have saved our winter session of parliament. When the government knew that anything but GST is so desired they should have played smart.

Anyways, in BJP vs Cong tussle the economy was punished and hence, we are loosing at least 4-6 months of time before we get the desired and much needed reforms to get tabled and discussed. One should realize that the external economic factors are not in anyone's hand, hence, to get their act together it is important to be prudent and get the maximum out of the external factors. With USA now in line to start exporting its Crude oil after four decades, India might again be reaping benefits in the coming months.

Timing and Prudence are very critical factors that the Government should now take a note of, else we would yet again miss a growth propelling decade.