Dear Mr Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
First and foremost please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your spectacular win in the recently concluded General Elections and sincerely wishing you good luck on your journey ahead as the 15th Prime Minister of India. You made history that was well-deserved.
You can well understand reading my blog title that I am writing from a corner of the world that transcends Indian borders. Ever since the few state elections in India in 2013 unravelled its rainbow I started following you on social media, listening to each and every electoral rally you spoke at and devouring every bit of news published on electronic media that informed about you, your style and strategies - both good and bad.
This does not mean I was all agog about a Mr Narendra Modi from the very onset but the elections, as the Indian media said, was truly polarised - it was a rare show in a democratic election where the Agenda became 'Modi vs. the rest' - how, when and why have been discussed at length by many eminent journalists and TV anchors and continue to rule the media headlines even today.
What prompted me to back you, I tweeted earlier, was your steely determination, avowed dedication and unflinching direction coupled with the astute experience you'd being the chief minister of a prosperous Indian state. What made me to shun the ruling party at the helm of Indian affairs was misgovernance, lack of clarity and communication, withering leadership and the elitist arrogance.
I might draw flak here from many of my fellow Indians who would take this opportunity to echo 'Another non-available and non-visible Indian harping on profound sentiments'. Well they have every right to say as I, an annual visitor to my country, never experience the bitter pangs of my countrymen. I enjoy 24X7 electricity and water services which many in India still do not.
However in the beginning of 2014 my name allegedly went missing from the electoral rolls and later heard that my name featured (quite surprisingly) although someone had cast the vote in my name! The irony is I come from an Indian state, governed by a 'peppered' tigress, where our loved ones back home meet 'fear' at every turn in the alley and not tourists or travellers.
You would wonder what took me so long to pen my thoughts and wishes to you. I participated indirectly in the biggest festival of democracy whose voice surely got lost in the deluge of the saffron spirit of the nation.
Also I thought to tell you a short story, apologies for encroaching on your precious time, to which I am a part of. Who else is the best person I can relate to apart from our newly elected Prime Minister who superbly connects with the masses?
This evening I was shopping at a health and beauty store when the ever smiling sales woman asked me where I was from knowing pretty well that I was unsure of the products I was picking at in the store. Soon popped my answer and with pride. Going by the nature of women we eventually started sharing the social morsels of our lives. Sad that the parley came to an abrupt end when the lady candidly hit it "Oh you are from India, a big and beautiful country but very unsafe. My husband took our entire family to Mauritius on a holiday last summer. I was interested to visit India, having heard so much about the diverse country and so near to Mauritius. Sorry, said my husband, as India is no longer safe for women".
Well I acted following Mark Twain's quote: "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt".
For acts and activities, for publications and policies, for conducts and conversations that we are not part of yet being an Indian abroad we are bound to be nit-picked by people of that nation where we are temporarily put up. Being an Indian abroad I represent the image of India, black and white or colour, and need to relentlessly preserve my country's reel negatives.
I hope you have a great week ahead and keep cool in the severe Delhi heat. I know you enjoy relishing Indian cucumber raita which is a sure shot health tonic in scorching summers.
I hope to keep in touch with you.
With warm regards
An Indian abroad
PS: I truly cherish your hard work. To me recently you'd been a ball of fire rousing my lulled spirits. I believe in good faith that you're the right person at the right time my India most needs.
Also I thought to tell you a short story, apologies for encroaching on your precious time, to which I am a part of. Who else is the best person I can relate to apart from our newly elected Prime Minister who superbly connects with the masses?
This evening I was shopping at a health and beauty store when the ever smiling sales woman asked me where I was from knowing pretty well that I was unsure of the products I was picking at in the store. Soon popped my answer and with pride. Going by the nature of women we eventually started sharing the social morsels of our lives. Sad that the parley came to an abrupt end when the lady candidly hit it "Oh you are from India, a big and beautiful country but very unsafe. My husband took our entire family to Mauritius on a holiday last summer. I was interested to visit India, having heard so much about the diverse country and so near to Mauritius. Sorry, said my husband, as India is no longer safe for women".
Well I acted following Mark Twain's quote: "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt".
For acts and activities, for publications and policies, for conducts and conversations that we are not part of yet being an Indian abroad we are bound to be nit-picked by people of that nation where we are temporarily put up. Being an Indian abroad I represent the image of India, black and white or colour, and need to relentlessly preserve my country's reel negatives.
I hope you have a great week ahead and keep cool in the severe Delhi heat. I know you enjoy relishing Indian cucumber raita which is a sure shot health tonic in scorching summers.
I hope to keep in touch with you.
With warm regards
An Indian abroad
PS: I truly cherish your hard work. To me recently you'd been a ball of fire rousing my lulled spirits. I believe in good faith that you're the right person at the right time my India most needs.
