U.S. President Barack Obama writes an article on Narendra Modi in the Time calling him India's "Reformer-in-Chief". Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper heaps praise on him at a huge Indian Diaspora event in Toronto, all in a span of a day.
Anybody would get giddy with praise. Mr. Modi could not hide his delight and tweeted "Dear @BarackObama your words are touching and inspiring."
He bear hugged Prime Minister Stephen Harper, calling him Harperjee.
The hugs and tweets are something world leaders have learned to expect from the Indian Prime Minister. He shows his affection if he likes you and the opposite is also true.
His displeasure is made evident with a zero eye-contact or a strategic look-away. But, Prime Minister Modi at the Diaspora event was clearly overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection from 8000 expats at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.
He said that the praise coming his way was not due to him, but due to the work of Indians and that he was just their representative.
The auditorium kept chanting "Modi-Modi" at every question that Mr. Modi asked them. Exasperated, Modi said, "Sabhi Samasyaaon Kay Samadhaan Kay Liye Ek Jadii Booti Hai", crowds chanted Modi-Modi. He replied "Nahi Modi Nahi Vikas."
For half-a-minute, the audience was confused...Vikas? Who is that? Then, it dawned, oh okay, he means development.
Modi went on to explain that there is only one way to change India's fortunes and that was development, and that he was in a hurry to provide opportunities for Indians to reach that goal.
World leaders clearly understand that. In the Time article, Obama says, "Prime Minister Modi recognizes that more than one billion Indians living and succeeding together can be an inspiring model for the world...... Today, he's the leader of the world's largest democracy, and his life story - from poverty to Prime Minister - reflects the dynamism and potential of India's rise."
In front of an audience of 10,000 Indo-Canadians, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, "Under your leadership, Canadians feel closer to India than even before....India now has the chance of becoming Vishwaguru, the teacher of the world."
President Obama in his article says of the Indian Prime Minister, "Like India, he transcends the ancient and the modern - a devotee of yoga who connects with Indian citizens on Twitter and imagines a "Digital India."
It was just three months ago that the media in India was offended that President Obama seemed to have castigated India for not practicing egalitarianism. There was also criticism of Prime Minister Modi showing excessive familiarity with the American President in his Radio Broadcast 'Man Ki Baat'.
Many commentators on television and op-ed writers had said that it was not 'the right thing to do.' As if sensing that the two issues needed ironing out, the American President's Time article says, "When he came to Washington, Narendra and I visited the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We reflected on the teachings of King and Gandhi and how the diversity of backgrounds and faiths in our countries is a strength we have to protect." From "mai aur Barack" it has gone on to "Narendra and I."
Prime Minister Modi in his three-nation, nine-day tour has been referring to the size and scale of developmental economics of India and how his counterparts in these countries get overwhelmed when he talks of the task at hand.
In France, he said, the population of France is about as many as those who board trains in India daily. In Canada, he said, "14 crore bank accounts were opened in three months in the Jan-Dhan Yojna...Sochiye... Teen Canada Ka Baraabar." The audience roared in laughter.
President Obama in the article said, "Prime Minister Modi recognizes that more than one billion Indians living and succeeding together can be an inspiring model for the world." Prime Minister Modi also reflected upon this sentiment during his speech.
He said that India had the capacity of providing manpower to the world, skilled and semi-skilled, but it was time that Indians learned about dignity of labour, respected those who do menial jobs as well. Till Indians did not learn to do that, there was no way that universal development could be brought about.
Expat Indians sitting in the audience appreciated the comment.
He then said, "Mai Chotii Chotii Batein Karta Hoon, Log Kehte Hain Pradhan Mantri Aisi Batein Nahii Kartein. pause. Yeh Kuch Alag Sa Pradhan Mantri Hai."
You can say that again. Modi is rewriting the rules. He does not say what is expected of him. Not even when he is abroad. He breaks rules and boundaries. He extends beyond what is expected of him. He will not mould himself in the ways and manners of his precedents. He just won't.
The eternal rebel, Modi, won grudging acceptability first, and then, admiration from world leaders. He makes no pretension about possessing intellectual superiority, he openly admits that he does not possess degrees from fancy-shmancy universities, he has humble origins, but now, he heads the largest democracy of the world. He wears the badge with a swagger that he has recently acquired. (ANI)
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