Modi Portrays A New Image Of India

By M.Santhiran M.Santhiran, Bernama's correspondent in New Delhi shares his take on India. KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Where ever the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes, he appears to have a strong following. The same was seen during the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits that ended Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. Modi was well received by his ASEAN contemporaries and viewed as a highly esteemed leader. Even the Indian diaspora in Malaysia have high regards for this man. In between the summit meetings where Modi attended several functions relating to the Indians, he was received by the thousands. It appears that Modi, who took office about 18 months ago, has won the hearts of the Indians in his country and the diaspora. MODI AND INDIA'S NEW IMAGE Modi literally exudes a new image of India. He and his government in so far have managed to stay free from any major corruption scandals, that had tainted the image of the previous Indian leaderships. The 65-year-old leader has many feathers on his cap, including transforming his native state of Gujarat into one of the most developed state in the country. He remains committed to weed of corruption and black money, and this too has earned him praise from many. His efforts in the economic front too is showing good results with multinational companies pledging to invest billion of dollars in India's economy. He remains focused in ensuring investors head to India and create the much needed job opportunities and infrastructure. Analyst also view that Modi will not face much problems in eradicating hardcore poverty as long as India continues to enjoy average annual economic growth of 7.0 per cent. I must stress that he has a fair share of critics who disagreed with some of his major policies where they claimed the BJP leader was neglecting domestic affairs. However, there are many who feel otherwise as well. A former diplomat told me that even though Modi and India are heading in the right direction, he needs to "accelerate" things further. The diplomat also opined that other than a clean leader like Modi, India also needs political stability where any ruling government should be given at least two terms in ensuring continuity. WHY MODI ENGAGES WITH THE INDIAN DIASPORA From the America to Asia, Modi already won the hearts and minds of the Indian diaspora who promised to do their part in assisting him to transform India. Modi has always acknowledged that diaspora community can contribute to their motherland. Therefore it is not surprising that during his travels he makes it a point to engage with the Indian diaspora. During his three-day stay in Kuala Lumpur for the South East Asian summits, Modi took part in three events relating to the diaspora; the unveiling of the Swami Vivekananda statue at the Ramakrishna Mission, the diaspora public reception and the launching of the Torana landmark at Little India in Brickfields. What India needs for the next five to ten years is political stability and less corruption, along with better skilled work force beyond its cyber hubs if the country and its people are serious in emerging as the next economic giant of Asia. -- BERNAMA