Gujarat CM Narendra Modi recently said in a speech ‘Irrespective of who contests in your constituency, I am your only Candidate’. He was bang on target. Well, most of us in Gujarat don’t need any convincing to vote for Modi, but I am writing this for the fence-sitters who haven’t yet made up their mind.
This is also for the pseudo-intellectuals who believe that Gujarat was always developed and Modi hasn’t done a thing and the pessimists who keep finding miniscule faults with the Gujarat growth story!
1. Development
Vidya Balan epitomised the reason for the Box-office success of a film and that is Entertainment , Entertainment and Entertainment. Similarly Modi has proved that the sole guarantor of electoral success is Development , Development and only Development.
Perhaps for the first time in Indian history an election would be fought on the plank of development, and defeating him Modi on the issue of development would be synonymous to England defeating India on the spinner friendly pitches at home! And just as the media discredit him for the action of Gujaratis in the 2002 riots , it ought to credit him for the development he has achieved in partnership with the same people of Gujarat! Fair enough?
2. Infrastructure
I would choose not to mention flashy jargons and data but to elicit the ground realities. Having lived in Gujarat for the past 10 years in Ahmedabad as well as Baroda, I do not remember a single instance of enforced power cut, which is a pretty regular phenomenon in other states. Hope Rahul baba doesn’t respond to this by saying ‘Gujarat mein bijli kisne pahunchayi….Humne’. Gujarat’s flagship project Jyotigran Yojna has been acclaimed even by the Central Govt.
Several parts of Saurashtra were chronically affected by water scarcity and private tankers were the only option. But since the last few years this situation has drastically changed with water reaching many remote areas as well. Having just shifted to Auckland , I could observe that things do look very different from back home. But coming from Gujarat, I didn’t find much difference in the quality of roads. Recently even World Bank was appreciative of the roads in Gujarat.
3. Non-Corrupt Regime
At a time when almost every minister in the Central Govt. Has some case of corruption against him, isn’t it indeed remarkable that Modi even after completing 4000 days in office has not a single allegation on a personal level against him? The closest his opponents could get to him was that he gave away land cheaply to industries and even these allegations were squashed by the M B Shah commission. I would like to give an example to illustrate the hilarious nature of these allegations.
Suppose in a rural area devoid of any industries and dependent on only farming, the land rate is Rs 300/ sq mt. The Govt sells 1,00,000 sq mt. To a leading industrial house for Rs 150/sq mt as any govt gives concessions for new industries for a total of Rs 1,50,00,000 . Now this industry brings many new investors who get the land at new rates which have inflated considerably . The farmers turn into millionaires overnight by selling their land. New opportunities of employment are generated.
The govt earns huge amount in taxes . The entire area is developed and new schools,colleges, hospitals and parks come up. Today the market rate for land in the region is 1500/ sq mt. So would u agree with the Congress that the initial Govt Concession is corruption and has caused a loss ? I bet, any enterprising Gujarati would call it Investment!
4. Law & Order
However hard the Media tries to project an atmosphere of fear in Gujarat, it is a fact that Gujarat is the safest state in India. How else would you explain beautiful girls dressed in gorgeous dresses moving fearlessly on the roads at midnight during Navratri. Had it been some other state in the same scenario we would have to calculate the crimes in a unit called RPM-Rapes per Minute! All the cynics shouting at stray incidents of petty crimes in Gujarat should spend some time in Congress ruled states to understand the importance of Gujarat.
5. Modi’s Vision
His vision sets Modi apart from all major players in the political circuit. Kankaria lake was a redundant entity till he refurbished it and made it a landmark in Ahmedabad. While most PM Candidates in present times would struggle to differentiate between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, Modi has put his money on Solar Energy , setting up Asia’s largest solar power plant in Gujarat.
While activists the world over are calling for the use of public transport , the BRTS is already perfectly operating , encouraging people to take up Public transport. Similarly the astonishingly beautiful Sabarmati riverfront is immensely popular among the people today.
6. Communal Harmony
Believe it or not, life in Gujarat is in stark contrast to what happened in 2002.Actually not a single incidence of communal violence for the past 10 years is a remarkable achievement from the turbulent times of 2002. There is also a growing sense of trust in the judicial process as a former minister was not spared for her involvement in the riots. It would be no exaggeration to say that communal harmony is at its best under Modi at present. A recent RTI revealed that inspite of the Congress claims of being the Minority Messiah , it is Gujarat who gave them proper representation in the police force.
7. Tourism
For the folks who say that everything Modi’s been bragging about has always existed, they miss a crucial point. Gujarat always had the Kutch deserts, picturesque Saputara and a lot of other places of historical significance. But the thing which was missing was tourists! Due to Modi’s endeavours people world over now recognise Gujarats beauty. Roping in Amitabh Bachchan as the Brand Ambassador at the expense of Sibbal’s favourite number and a superb ad campaign have helped tremendously increase the tourism in Gujarat.
8. Gujarat Asmita
Modi has very aptly instilled a feeling of Gujarati Pride among the 6 crore Gujaratis. Gujarat which was previously at best a laid back prosperous state is now competing and outclassing the best. Gone are the days when Gujarat was a ‘Gokulyu Gaam’(idyllic village). The response and respect you get today from any Indian when u tell him/her that you are from Gujarat is just heartening!
9. No other Alternative
If the above reasons fail to convince you , just imagine the moronic Modhwadia as the CM of Gujarat. Got the shock of your life?? Good, now vote for Modi!
About the Author
Nirav Shah is a New Zealand based Dentist, Photographer and an avid Blogger. He can be reached via his Blog and Twitter. Original article can be found here.