As 2019 nears, not many are excited about pyrotechnics 

It was a Diwali without fireworks this year. The Supreme Court, concerned about deadly air pollution, had issued strict orders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

It was a Diwali without fireworks this year. The Supreme Court, concerned about deadly air pollution, had issued strict orders. Though some were upset about the ‘judicial overreach’, most of us celebrated the ‘Festival of Lights’ without sound and fury. One can only hope that we learn to separate the essence of a festival with crass commercial polluting elements that have crept in over the years to corrode it. 

There was a time when Diwali was celebrated with infectious joy spreading cheer with nothing more than puffed rice and batasha. Tradition dictated that kheer be cooked and the threshold decorated with rangoli. One doesn’t remember when the custom of exchanging ‘gift hampers’—loaded not only with sweets and fruits fresh and dried but also chocolates, cheeses, juices, chips and wine bottles—started. Expensive designer accessories are included to remind the recipient to kindly cut the red tape that may have been delaying the clearance of a file at his desk.

This year, the runners and couriers who deliver these hampers too were less hassled. The economic slowdown caused by—yes, it is being officially admitted now though obliquely and in hushed whispers—demonetisation and the bungled implementation of GST has impacted the festive spending. The people have been awaiting for much too long now a ‘big bang reform’ to enhance their life prospects. Visions of bullet train that were being conjured have receded after a series of unfortunate accidents and the promised jobs in millions are yet to materialise.

Digitisation of economy that was enforced in the wake of note bandi has regressed. It is becoming increasingly difficult to take pride in the scientific prowess of the nation as ISRO launches one more GSLV in space. As elections to the Lok Sabha draw close, not many are excited about pyrotechnics. What people will be content with is lighting a lot of small lamps that illuminate the lives of the underprivileged.   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has almost single-handedly kept the flag flying through hectic diplomacy but the law of diminishing returns seems to have caught up with personal diplomacy. US President Donald Trump has flip-flopped about Pakistan and Doklam has left no one in doubt about Chinese intentions. Russia seldom figures in our strategic calculations these days and this can’t be explained by Vladimir Putin’s lack of interest in South Asia.Many countries in Europe and in the New World look at India as a profitable market but few are willing to open their doors to our products, services and workers. The diaspora across continents is a valuable asset but a resurgent India can’t keep basking in the reflected glow of its achievements. It is not foreign policy but the state of the economy that will ultimately sway the voters one way or the other.


What is disturbing is that instead of remedying flawed policies or their deficient implementation, the government in power seems to have opted for diversionary offence. It appears to be encouraging dangerous divisive discourses that can only erode the support base Modi had managed to cobble together in 2014. Take, for instance, the ‘controversy’ about the Taj Mahal. Or, BJP’s agitation about a Tamil film that has some dialogue criticising GST. And, how can you forget the ‘gag ordinance’ proclaimed by Vasundhara Raje in her state? As many legal luminaries have opined it is not likely to survive legal scrutiny and will only tarnish the reputation of the NDA-BJP leadership. 

BJP continues to embroil itself in murkier and murkier mess in Jammu and Kashmir as the situation there deteriorates alarmingly. No one is reassured by the government’s claim that it is only the desperation of separatists on the brink of final defeat and extinction that is causing bloodshed. Call them Brave Hearts or Martyrs, it is the men in uniform who have in most adverse circumstances managed to hold back the tide. It is power hungry politicians who have let the country down every time. It is impossible to comprehend what purpose is served by parleys with Mehbooba Mufti. The utterly incompetent Chief Minister struts the stage just because she is BJP’s senior partner in state government.
Bye-election results in Gurdaspur should have given a jolt necessitating a reality check to the BJP leadership. That too has passed without causing a ripple.

A rejuvenated Congress party has joined battle in Gujarat. It may not win back the state but can certainly dent the invincible reputation of Modi-Amit Shah duo. In this age of social media not all the warts can be rendered invisible by clever media management. Trying to suppress or kill potentially damaging stories (or even to impart a favourable spin to them) can only prove counter-productive. Nor is playing ‘Good Cop, Bad Cop’ going to fool the man on the street for long. Time is running out.  
        pushpeshpant@gmail.com

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