The recent slump of USA financial market revives the memories of Asian economy meltdown. In fact Japan had seen downturn since late eighties when economic bubble busted. It took almost decade and half to come out of the mess. The sluggish recovery also had to do with leadership gap at top. While all the politicians at top kept on passing the buck, there was one legendary leader who rose to the occasion and started clearing the mess. He brought immense confidence in his people back. Junichiro Koizumi (popularly known as Lion-heart) broke many taboos and single handledly reformed the system. He virtually disabled all the vested interest and only worked for economic reforms. His winning election as incumbent against all odds and that too hands down was very similar to how Modi won it last time in Gujarat.

The comparison does not end here. Japanese media (just like Indian) could not digest the change and never missed a single trick to oppose him or abuse him. He though never bothered, kept his nerves and did what he had to. He avoided media (the biased fourth pillar) and (with the help of technology) started interacting with his people directly through his weekly emails and SMSes. First time in history people felt they are also part of the governance. So much so that at one time his Cabinet popularity rate touched 85%. Unprecedented in Japanese history. The platform of connecting to people became so popular that weekly not only Koizumi but some of his cabinet members also started using it to convey their policy initiatives and perceived benefits or requesting cooperation from people.

In this regard, I feel that Modi’s new website Narendramodi.in is a path breaking initiative for Gujarat and in larger context India. First lets examine why he might have created one. If you listen to his speeches carefully you will understand the idea and motive. Whenever he talks about reforms and development, he quotes Mahatma Gandhi. According to Modi the difference between other freedom fighters and Gandhi was his ability to turn freedom movement into Jan Andolan (people’s movement). It was Mahatma’s leadership skill that converted passive energy into huge powerhouse. When Modi says he wants to change the way govt. is run, he is taking leaf straight out of Gandhi’s legacy (If you look closely quite a few of his social reforms are influenced by Bapu’s philosophy be it “Samras Yojana” or Cleanliness drive or Gram Swaraj). He wants to do it with People’s participation as a force multiplier to achieve faster, everlasting and holistic results.

By creating this platform he has invited all the people interested in Gujarat’s growth both resident and non-resident to take some active role in indirect governance. The professionally done site can be ranked high in terms of quality and user friendliness. Modi has been traveling relentlessly to rural areas of Gujarat to make sure his policies are understood and all stake-holders have buy-in. His connect with them is also happening via state-wide IT infrastructure. The missing link surprisingly is between “Modi and the educated mass” both resident and non-resident. While Youtube and other new media platform did fill that gap (as least you can expect from mainstream English media to highlight anything good about Modi), it is still one-way communication from Modi.

I recommend everyone to visit the site and register. Quite a few of the reader here are NRIs budding with the ideas for betterment of Gujarat and India. This is your chance to connect to visionary leader. The site also has some interesting contests. You can do your bit by putting your views on Gujarat’s growth. If your idea is good and genuine it promises quick attention. You might be working in different country or environment but your experience sharing could do a lot. There are equal amount of issues and opportunity as Gujarat takes a journey of development. Any idea bringing change in people’s life would be worth putting up there.

In future I am sure this platform will grow formidable and people will have two way communication with government and administration. The days of cheap promises to win elections have gone in Gujarat. while we got Freedom from Foreigners 60 years back by vision of Bapu and implementation skills of Sardar, its time to take on another freedom fight and seek Gujarat’s as well as India’s place in the world. I am sure you will agree We have got CM (Chief Motivator) whose motives for better Gujarat for Better India are beyond doubt. On this Gandhi Jayanti lets do something relevant in today’s context. Please go and register at Narendramodi.in as a tribute to Gandhiji.

Jai Hind.

(Writer is a current affair analyst who studies Gujarat affairs in international perspective)