Page 8 - Seniorstoday Aug 2024 Issue

Mr Modi has cultivated an international it didn’t succeed as much as it would have
image as a leader who means business
and has successfully established personal
rapport with many global leaders. One
of his key achievements has been the
improvement of India’s relationships
with major world powers such as the
United States, Russia, Japan, the UK,
and the European Union. His focus on
strengthening ties with Southeast Asian
countries has been a notable success. The
G20 Summit, BRICS, and other forums
have seen Mr Modi’s leadership enable
India to play a prominent role in global
governance, advocating for critical issues
such as climate change and sustainable
development. His achievements have
secured his position on the global stage,
and his vision for a more prosperous and
self-reliant India has inspired millions.
However, certain issues have tarnished
his reputation, such as the farmers’
protests, the JNU students’ uprising,
the Shaheen Bagh protest, and the
ensuing conflicts. It is important to note
that these issues are complex and that
opinions on them vary. These downers
notwithstanding, Mr Modi’s legacy as one
of India’s most influential and impactful
leaders is undeniable. A large segment of
India’s middle class remains his ardent
supporters, and for every argument
against him, there is a hailstorm of
arguments in his favour. Such is Mr Modi’s
popularity that even close friends might
find themselves at odds over him.
Despite winning the election, the NDA
must engage in some soul-searching to
understand why it failed to connect with
the younger generation. The BJP is an
election-winning machine, fighting every
election with all its might, employing every
strategy within and beyond the book, yet
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liked. The answer is simple: they need
individuals who can provide an unbiased
perspective and perhaps take a fresh look
at themselves. I am certain they have done
much introspection on this verdict.
The 2024 election results have slightly
dented Mr Modi’s image. What has now
emerged is a strong Opposition. The nation
has a new generation of young politicians
who will mature into responsible leaders
when their time comes.
Image Courtsey: X
Rahul Gandhi is Destiny’s Child. In India,
political leaders often teach their children
the ropes of politics. Unfortunately for
Rahul, his father passed away too early
and could not groom him in the ways of
the world. It is worth recalling that Rajiv
Gandhi was not even his mother Indira
Gandhi’s political heir; she had groomed
Sanjay for that role, which fate intervened
to prevent.
The BJP’s social media machine
successfully portrayed Rahul Gandhi in a
poor light, effectively branding him with
the nickname ‘Pappu’. Now, ‘Pappu’, as
I know it, is a very common pet name for
Pradeep in North India. Pappu, Babbu,
Bittu, Pinky, Chuttu, Happy, Lovely,
Guddu – all are very common pet names
in North India – Punjab and most of the
Hindi-speaking regions. After the Cadbury
advertisement ‘Pappu pass ho gaya’, the
association of ‘Pappu’ with idiocy stuck,