Author: N S Venkataraman
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 31, 2007
Narendra Modi's election victory is a positive
sign for India's future. A few months back, I went to Gujarat to make a presentation
to the board of directors of a large state-owned public sector company for
a project proposal. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they spent a lot
of time and had come prepared with a thorough background study. They asked
searching and positive questions. When I inquired with a senior executive
about the sustained interest that the officials had shown, which to me is
unusual of public sector units, I was told that in Gujarat the management
boards of PSUs are allowed to operate without interference from politicians.
The directors took personal interest because they knew that their decisions
would be final and they would not be overruled by a minister or other members
of the ruling party. This, to me, explains the reasons for the progress Gujarat
has made under Modi.
In the present time, when politicians facilitate
the entry of their wives, children and other kinsmen into politics, Modi's
style is in sharp contrast as he has favoured no one. He is one rare politician
who has not been accused even by his worst enemy of having amassed wealth
by corrupt practices.
