MODI IS NOW TRULY A VISHWA GURU: Dr CHANDRA

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat24-Vision of New India and First India; CMD, First India News, reveals the details of Modi’s successful visit to the USA and how that all-powerful nation, appears subdued by the charismatic aura and charm of the leader of the biggest democracy in the world. Excerpts… (Part-I)

• How do you view Prime Minister Modi’s 6-day visit to America and Egypt
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: Historic! The visit has been a ‘game changer’ in all aspects. Modi is now a global spiritual leader with a stupendous 76 % popularity graph across the globe. On the domestic front, Modi has again emerged as the most powerful and decisive Prime Minister of the country, who enjoys the trust and confidence of 140 crore people of this nation. We feel proud to have such a person as the Prime Minister of the nation.

• What would you like to say about the manner in which Modi set a new narrative for the 2023 and 2024 elections in Bhopal and attacked the Opposition leaders as soon as he returned from the US trip?
  Wonderful. There is no match of Narendra Modi when it comes to setting the narrative. Along with Uniform Civil Code, he set his agenda to work on corruption and he drove home the point that those who met in Patna for a ‘photo session’ in the name of Opposition unity, are all corrupt politicians. He said that every Opposition leader in the picture has indulged in at least “Rs 20 lakh crore corruption.” He guaranteed Rs 1.25 crore in Stalin’s name, 70,000 crore in NCP’s name, 25,000 crore in TMC’s name and several others. So, this clearly indicates that while on the one hand, the narrative of Uniform Civil Code would be set, the other narrative would be of major action taken in cases of corruption against Opposition leaders. So once again, Modi’s super-hit narrative has been set.

• How did the international media respond to Modi’s very successful visit? Do you feel that economy has taken the front seat considering the defence and trade agreements signed during the US and Egypt visit?
  Of course. This has been happening for the past few years. What has changed in Narendra Modi’s nine years of leadership is that powerful nations that once cold shouldered India, today look at India as a ‘Linchpin.’ Nations want to invest in India. So, Modi has set the economic agenda, whom to purchase weapons from and who to sell them to, from whom to purchase crude oil, whom to invite and to encourage to invest in India! Modi has made India a bold nation through strong decision-making. Modi’s multi-aligned foreign policy has enabled India to build economic relations, not just diplomatic relations. I would say that today economy and financial matters are deciding the fate of the country in foreign matters.

• The manner in which the US Parliament and the Indian community welcomed Modi has been unprecedented. Why this craze for Modi in New York and Washington?
  Craze is still a smaller word. This was madness. Those who witnessed it, were baffled. Public representatives in American Congress were standing in line for autographs and selfies with Modi. The President and the First Lady organised a stunning ‘Vegetarian’ State Dinner for him. Biden and the First Lady held Modi’s hands as they ushered him into the White House. He addressed the Congress for 58 minutes and he was given 15 standing ovations and every few minutes the Congress would start clapping for him. People were in disbelief of what was being streamed from the American Senate on their television screens. It seemed as if Modi was contesting elections from America and was there to address a rally. Such was the madness! When he stepped out, he met people of Indian origin and women wept in joy to see him, much as if they had seen Lord Krishna in all His glory.
  Well, the fact is that PM Modi was given the honour of being ‘State Guest’ for the first time in the US even though he has been there seven times in the past. The body language of both the leaders was such that it never appeared that the Prime Minister and President of two nations were meeting, rather it appeared as if two friends were meeting. So this was remarkable and quite unbelievable. This tour has taken Modi’s popularity to another level altogether. Call it popularity or craze, words are no longer enough to describe what has just happened in the past few days.

• Friends living in America said that for the first time, they felt proud to be an Indian there. What transpired that this scenario changed after all?
  It seems that some ‘Daivik’ power moves about with Narendra Modi. What we have seen, cannot come to pass with an ordinary human being. Truth be told, be it USA or UK, historically Indians have been treated as second grade citizens. Indian passport held no or little significance.
  Today they saw that American President is taking autograph of our Prime Minister and people are clicking selfies with him. Australian PM is terming Modi as the ‘Boss’ and some PM is touching Modi’s feet. This is wonderful. This is the capability and popularity of Modi’s leadership. Biden is raising ‘no alcohol’ toast and saying that Modi and US are together. They felt that not just the Indian Embassy, but even the people living there are Indian Ambassadors. So, you feel proud about it. Modi’s aura and persona that came to fore in the US, has filled Indians with pride.

• Does a popular Indian Prime Minister like Narendra Modi influence the politics of votes in America as well?
  He does. Modi is a genius. About 54 lakh Indians live in America and obviously they would vote for someone. Earlier, Trump too used to do all this and the politicians realise the fact that a great number of Indians reside in the US. It would not be wrong to say that about 97 percent of those Indians would be alert to the signalling by Modi or would know who to vote for given that the US is tilting towards India. So Modiji, while seated in Delhi, is able to affect the politics in US.

• How do you rate Modi as a Communicator?
  Wonderful! His oneto-one connect at the grassroots has no match. We saw in America that everyone wanted to shake hands with Modi and our PM obliged. You saw how he connected with everyone through ‘Mann Ki Baat.’ People who were never on forefront, he brought them forward. You saw how he changed the dynamics of Padma Awards. Nowadays, he has found one more way to communicate. He explains everything to people like a teacher does. He uses hand gestures to effectively convey the message in a few sentences and as a result, other orators fail while Modi has a terrific mass appeal. Modi is a great communicator and those who must be writing his speeches or giving him inputs, must be elated to have someone like Modi to present their inputs, after value addition, and in such a charismatic fashion.

• It is an emotional question, Modi of 30 years back in America and Modi of today. What is the difference?
  There is an immense difference. Really, it is an emotional question. I feel that Modi’s erstwhile equation with America would have crossed his mind. His mother, if she were alive, would have been happy to see her son, who was once denied US visa, has earned such love and respect in the US today. Modi might have felt bad then and it is only human to feel so. And today it is the same Modi, the son of Gujarat, for whom Americans are doing everything that they can. These were wonderful moments. Modi himself said that 30 years back when he had visited America, he stood outside the White House. People usually stand outside the White House and get their pictures clicked and he too might have done that. But today, he is dominating the same White House. Our journalists who went with Modi from India, must have returned extremely impressed with his status. So, definitely this was an emotional moment of Modi’s life.

• After achieving 76% global popularity, what is on Modi’s mind now?
  I have said this earlier too that he is a ‘Fakir.’ He has evolved into a Spiritual Guru and now people say he is going to become ‘Vishwa Guru’. His heart is such that if one day he remembers the mountains of Himachal, he would pick up his ‘jhola’ and head to the mountains, leaving everything behind. He would become father of the nation, whether formally or informally. So he is like an ascetic and when he feels like, he will do so. But one thing is sure, he has said that he will continue to serve the nation till his last breath. Besides, people close to him say that only the Nobel Prize is left for him. Although Modiji is in no need of awards, people still feel that he should get one. As far as Modi is concerned, he has become a spiritual leader and is on the path to becoming ‘Vishwa Mitra’ and ‘Vishwa Guru.’ He is extremely strong emotionally and spiritually and suddenly, one fine day, if he takes such a decision, then it should not come as a surprise. However, I do not see such a thing happening for the next five-six years.

• How do you see the manner in which Pakistan has been warned in the US-Indo joint statement?
  It can be counted as a major success of Narendra Modi’s diplomacy as a very strong joint statement was issued. Every time it was said that their land should not be used for anti-India activities. But this time around, the matter was extremely serious. America has not forgotten the 9/11 attack and India has not forgotten 26/11. Both the nations are scarred and the wounds inflicted by terrorists continue to hurt. This brings both nations on the same platform, ideologically, when it comes to countering terrorism. And it has happened for the first time in Modi’s leadership that Kashmir issue has practically become non-existent. Otherwise, that issue used to come up every time a PM would visit USA. Pakistan’s economy is in a shambles. Foreign Minister has clearly said that trade during the day and terror by night will not work. India’s foreign policy is extremely strong and whenever the opportunity presents itself, India will take its step against Pakistan without worrying about international pressure. For example, Article 370 was abrogated and prior to this, everyone said there will be international pressure, but see, did anything happen? Such is the situation that G20 team went to Srinagar for meeting and everyone was surprised that the valley is peaceful. So, Modi has gone beyond the impression and controversies of international propaganda.

TO BE CONTINUED…

During the show #JConBossIsBack trended top All-India on Twitter