Categories: Editor's Desk

Samir Shukla

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The world is always in need of effective, forward thinking leaders. Not the so-called great leaders, mind you. As I have written in the past, there are no great leaders. There are only effective leaders. Crowning someone as “great” serves no purpose and makes no sense. Great marks finality.

Effectiveness in the throes of conflict, crisis, unforeseen emergencies, and long-term economic vision marks the true value of a leader. The world seeks leaders, chosen by the people, able to deal with what they have inherited and effectively resolve problems, either already existing or emerging.

Leadership is about forming a compelling narrative for the future, inspiring synergy in the masses, managing existing political apparatus and working with the inevitable opponents, and then taking necessary decisions.

It’s been a year since Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister of India in May 2014. The assessments of his efficacy at this juncture are flying about left and right. He won a large mandate and came into the office with a lot of political capital. So the analyses and critiques are inevitable as Modi wraps his first full year in office. Has he been an effective leader so far? Has he done what he promised?

Elected officials land into office tethered to pre-conceptions and expectations. Their promised words during elections are solidified and come under scrutiny after taking office. This is especially true for high-profile leaders like the United States President, the Prime Minister of India and the leaders of other major democracies.

China, of course, is a different beast altogether. The President of China is an internally groomed, propped-up puppet, not beholden to the masses. China’s rise has to be analyzed with whole bunch of different parameters.

But the discussion at hand is leadership in democracies, however chaotic they maybe, and the leaders of such countries are held to special scrutiny. Voters will expect action and results, while critics will constantly point blinding lights in search of mistakes and missteps. When the elected leader is an erudite and charismatic speaker, the critics scream even louder if the leader doesn’t deliver results. Words are easy, action is difficult.

India is a diverse, ancient behemoth. Change comes slow.

Time will tell on the long-term results of Narendra Modi’s actions during his first year. Certainly he has worked to untangle Indian status quos, realigned political strangleholds, and even challenged entrenched ways of thinking. Rethinking preset perceptions and unraveling corruption while unfolding lethargic ways of doing things are badly needed actions in India.

There are times the status quo needs a swift kick in the ass. An effective leader can deliver that. The promise of India is in its people, especially the youth. If the people are inspired to help alleviate corruption and put their cities, states and the country first, then any changes or policies the government implements are amplified.

I will go on a limb here and say that Modi is a visionary leader. He genuinely wants to do something for the country, in a big way. He is either loved or loathed, but there’s no question that Modi has stirred the pot called India for the past year in a manner not seen before and one that is entirely necessary.

This is a globalized, fast-paced world that needs active leaders. When the status quo is undone or unsettled, the participants of that status quo will not like it and will resist. But countries, people, ideas, religions, need to evolve with the times. Respect the traditions, yes, but evolve. Undo traditions that perpetuate human indignity.

Modi also travels, a lot. He has visited 18 countries in the past year, cutting deals, making connections, so it seems. This is needed. A country cannot remain in a cocoon and thrive.

One thing is certain about Modi. He is a tireless promoter of India and even though the label “Hindu nationalist” is tagged every time someone writes about him, it’s apparent he understands India can only lift itself if all citizens’ lives improve. He maybe a nationalist, but he is no fool.

Modi’s predecessor, Manmohan Singh, was instrumental in opening India’s economy as Finance Minister in the early 90’s. He set the stage for Modi to stir the pot further and continue unshackling India’s bureaucratic chains. It is best to move the country away from the quasi-socialism that may have served it well in the past but is clearly ill-fitting for the fast moving 21st Century.

Modi needs to be and should be judged, his failures noted, his successes lauded, but, it needs to be done after he completes a full term. India’s noisy parliamentary system and robust media will check his moves and temper any overreaching. A foundation for resurgence and reformation is being built in a more globally-connected manner. Countries are not speed boats, they are giant ships that take time to guide and navigate around similarly giant ships.

Time reveals the real story.