The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
Sometimes major events completely disconnected may be data points for the plans of the different powers around the world. The challenge is to discern what purpose they serve? More critically, what are we moving towards?
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
Experts are now unanimous that no other politician has done for Gujarat what Modi has been able to do. No wonder the Gujaratis dont seem to want any other party or “leader” replace him.
Explains former IIM director, professor Bakul Dholakia,”Modi has improved the living conditions and the earnings of almost nine% of the poor in Gujarat over the past several years. And nine% of a total 6 crore population means an impressive 54 lakh.” Dholakia points to sections of the manifesto where Modi’s economic vision is more than explicit. He wants the state government to provide bank guarantee for loans that young and ambitious entrepreneurs desperately need. Says the diminutive academic: “Suresh Tendulkar’s report has already pointed out that Gujarat has the sharpest declining rate of poverty.”
Economist Bibek Debroy, who has been visiting Modi’s Gujarat and doing several studies on its economic indicators, said that this phenomenon is not just urban. “It also happened in the Gujarat countryside following widespread diversification of agriculture. Mono-crop regions are growing two crops. There is better availability of water and electricity.” Debroy agrees that in quite a few parts of the country, there is an upward mobility. He cites the example of western Uttar Pradesh where the previously impoverished is earning a great deal more. But he agrees that before Modi no other politician has really identified this trend.
What is obvious in the many facts and figures as well as one look at the Gujarat landscape cannot be wished away by jarring negative campaigns.
The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
This visit of India left me with many questions. Many observations and inputs from different people and sections. Food for thought that I have tried to contemplate on and make sense of. Sharing all that with you.
When you analyze the last 60 years of the economic miracles of Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia versus the continued impoverished Indian economy, you get very interesting lessons. Can Indians have the wherewithal in them to do in one generation so that the coming generations may rise?
Every Sunday AM (US Time)/ PM (India time), we send out a weekly detailed newsletter. We also share other insightful notes during the week. Its free. Do sign up and share with friends!