Book Review: Modi@ 20: Decoding the Modi Phenomenon

The book sets out with the objective of understanding the ‘Modi phenomenon’ and its various attributes. The chapters provide deep insights into the various spheres of change and action under Modi rule. — Dr. Abhishek Pratap Singh

There have been many writings, academic studies and books on the subject of governance and its different aspects.Most of them remain country specificstudies while attributing the role of political system and socio-economic conditionswhile analyzing the role and level of governance in any system. Interestingly, this book evades from the dominant trend in a sense that it aims to evaluate the role and significance of Sh. NarendraModi as a leader in the last twenty years of his governance, delivering on the promise of social change, welfarismand development. 

This recently released book offers afull account of the two decades of Prime Minister NarendraModi being in power. If we see his journey in last eight years, since the Modi Government came to the power in Centre, or his track record as an ‘able administrator and popular leader’ in the capacity of Gujrat’s Chief Minister, one can understand from the many learned arguments made in the book that government under his leadership both at state and centre level truly symbolises a unique ‘governance model’.  In this journey he clearly build’s a ‘model of governance’ for united, prosperous and strong Bharat.

It is collection of well-researchedarticles written by people in the bureaucracy, academia and other expert minds who have worked closely with Prime Minister in the last two decades. To say, the list of contributors includes names of Amit Shah, Nripendra Mishra, AjitDoval to other domain experts like Ashok Gulati, Shamika Ravi, S. Jaishankar, PV Sidhu, and AnupamKher, and many others who have been part of this journey under his leadership. 

The basic foundation of this model of governance was laid during the 13 years of his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Under his leadership, Gujarat became the testing ground for the many new policies and programmes, which were carefully designed to empower people and deliver growth. He found opportunity with the business potential, cultural richness and strength of Gujarati diasporato develop an investor friendly and growth centric model of vibrant Gujarat. With effective execution of public policies and set of education reforms, human resource of the state was able to be stakeholder in the Gujrat’s developmental story. 

The chapters in the book are broadly categorised into five sections, focusing on different aspects of governance under Modi rule. The first section describes how the promise of people’s empowerment at different levels has been ensured in the last eight years. This is in line with the ‘people first’ approach to governance under his leadership driven by the mantra of SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas, SabkaVishwas and SabkaPrayas. With active involvement in policymaking, its execution and the feedback process, people are in the driving seat of this transformation. The use of new technological tools and communication channels made this process much easier and transparent.

The second section highlights the key policy interventions by the Modi government to strengthen unity and integrity of the country. The chapter in this section by Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah gives details about how Modi’s vision for development stands for inclusive growth and holistic development. Many long-term objectives are keeping in mind country’s interests and are not subject to any electoral loss or challenges. The Politics of Unity and Development is a remarkable feature of Modi’s governance, keeping in mind political and social vision for New India.  

In the third section, which is on economy, chapters discuss about various policies and programmes of the government towards financial inclusion and economic decentralisation. Much emphasis was given towards economic resurgence of the country focusing on skill training, technology promotion, expanding digitisation and improving infrastructure. Shamika Ravi’s in her essay dwells on five key ‘micro-revolutions’ that improved the life of ordinary people.

The fourth section turns towards novel efforts and policies by the government to bring ‘paradigm shift’ in the governance model. NandanNilekani highlights the active role of technology to achieve policy goals under Modi rule. Nipendra Mishra, who has worked closely with the Prime Minister, point to his ability in transforming the ‘vision into reality’. The section focuses on the challenging tasks before government during the Corona pandemic and its efforts to speed up the vaccination drive in a more smoother and easy manner for a country as big like India. More importantly, serving those at the bottom of social pyramid and economic vulnerabilities.

The final section titled Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam features some insightful analyses on how India navigated the path of external relations and diplomacy, while protecting the national interests and pushing for world peace and security.AjitDoval writes how national security has taken precedence during these years. The realistic approach to Chinese belligerence has well stood with our national goals and strengths. In the final article, S. Jaishankar gives an account of India’s more active role and presence in the global politics, driven by the new areas of engagement and diplomatic endeavours under the leadership of PM Modi.

The interesting part of the writing is that it conceptualises how the government policy makers have evolved a new role and relevance for the ‘youth and women’ in our governance model. Not just for social empowerment but also in leadership and administration there is more avenues and scope for these sections.

The book sets out with the objective of understanding the ‘Modi phenomenon’ and its various attributes. The chapters provide deep insights into the various spheres of change and action under Modi rule. And the reasoned approach to governance not based on populism but sound and effective execution of policies to empower the real beneficiaries. Moreover, this governance model has built on a convergence of our cultural values and rich heritage, giving a new direction to our process of nation building.           

Dr. Abhishek Pratap Singh: PhD from JNU and Assistant Professor, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi. 

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