Titles of Modi's schemes like Greek and Latin to people in non-Hindi regions

By NS Venkataraman*
During the last six years, after assuming the position as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has been striving hard to improve the conditions in India in several spheres. He has launched a number of schemes that can have potentially far-reaching impact on the country. Some of the schemes that have been initiated are the first time efforts in India.
Modi’s schemes like housing for the poor, construction of toilets for poor households, electrification of rural areas, zero bank account for the poor people are steps to ensure that the benefits of the welfare measures directly reach people.
Other schemes include health insurance schemes for the poor, crop insurance schemes for the farmers etc., the Clean India Campaign, promotion of yoga culture and skill development programme for youth.
Realising that without modifying and changing the systems, corruption cannot be wiped out, several measures such as digitalization, anti-benami law, insolvency and bankruptcy regulations etc. have been initiated. Disciplinary actions against corrupt and inefficient bureaucrats at top level in Central government has been taken.
As part of the carrot and stick policy, several raids on corrupt institutions and individuals have been launched to unearth tax evaded black money and corrupt dealings. Some “big names” involved in banking operations, media and business houses have been caught and jailed or actions initiated.
But corruption is so deeply rooted in the country that it cannot be wiped out in one stroke. There have been some hurdles and bottlenecks, with progress not matching the needs and expectations of the people. Lack of sufficient success in corrective steps has been there due to the huge challengers involved.
Abolition of triple talaq practice has liberated Muslim women. Steps taken for the abolition of Article 370 and integrating Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh with rest of India have had far-reaching impact. The Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) explain the logic of the policy to provide Indian citizenship to the harassed people belonging to the minority communities in three neighbouring countries.

Success of Modi in facing onslaught of critics depends on how he deploys credible spokespersons to explain issues

Almost all these measures have been criticized by certain opposition parties, sections of media, intellectuals and activists. They are getting scared of the popular image of Modi. Though Modi’s party has lost a few state assembly elections, the share of its votes has not gone down. Political alignments between opposition parties have caused the setback.
While students in a very few universities have protested, there are large number of universities and students in the country who are not protesting. Modi’s progressive policies and schemes are not being adequately publicized and communicated to the people in a way that common man can understand.

There is a lot of propaganda in the media that the Indian economy has slowed down and is in the verge of collapse. It is said that unemployment level in the country has reached an unmanageable level. It is also said that recession has set in India.
Unfortunately, knowledgeable discussions with facts and figures are not being publicized in the media, and most of the editors publish only articles and conduct discussions by those who agree with their views.
Modi speaks in Parliament and in all meetings only in Hindi, which large section of the countrymen in non-Hindi speaking regions do not understand. Several Central government schemes are given title in Hindi language such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujwala Yojana, Swachch Bharat, Sabka Viswas, Atal Bhujal Yojana.
These title are like Greek and Latin for people in the non-Hindi regions. Most of them do not understand these titles and think that they are really some matter not connected to them.
Today, major problem faced by Modi is due to the fact that his plans and schemes are not being explained to the people with facts and figures by credible spokespersons at different levels in various languages. It remains to be seen as to how Modi will tackle this issue.
The success of Modi in facing the onslaught of opposition parties, critics, sections of media and campaigners against him depend upon how he would deploy credible spokespersons all over the country to explain the issues in proper perspective. It would be tragic if his moves remain unexplained to large sections of countrymen, who may not have the acumen to readily understand the implications and significance of his policy measures.
---
*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

Search This Blog