It was all over Twitter and Facebook. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would be answering questions - live - through Google Plus’ Hangout. The time was 8 p.m (August 31, Friday).
But by the time the event began, it was well over 8.45 p.m. The reason, the response was so much that Google Plus reportedly crashed.
When the Hangout began, actor Ajay Devgn, the anchor, and Narendra Modi profusely apologised for the delay.
The response was expected, and the organisers of the Hangout ensured that some sort of discipline was needed. The questions had to be submitted beforehand and Ajay Devgn would moderate the chat.
No politically sensitive questions
The questions were quite harmless - about youth, education, rural uplift and perils of urbanisation. There was one on secularism and Narendra Modi took care he offended no one and stuck to saying what he considered as secularism. “Think that our nation must be on top in all respects. That is secularism, according to me.”
Some came straight to the point, while others, including a fawning fan from the US, gave mini speeches and wanted Narendra Modi to “come to the US as Prime Minister.”
He ended the chat with an invite to the Chief Minister to have “lunch, dinner or breakfast’.
The organisers seem to have ensured that there were no politically sensitive questions.
On education, women
There were questions about how urbanisation was affecting villages. Narendra Modi explained how he gave importance to rural uplift and how all the villages had uninterrupted power supply and broadband connectivity.
He emphasised the importance of education and said he had given importance to teachers’ education.
Replying to a question of the ratio of men and women, he said we had to learn from tribals where the ratio was in favour of women and detailed his Government’s moves to empower women. He said his Government had waived stamp duty for property transactions if the person buying the property was a woman, houses distributed by his Government were given in women's names.
Diet & Lifestyle
There was also time for some questions about his diet and lifestyle. Those in public life should be prepared to have a bad stomach. He said that being a bachelor, for 45 years, he had to almost beg for food every day. “Whenever I used to visit a house, I had whatever they could offer.” He preferred kichidis. “I don’t follow any diet, but I take care of my health through yoga,” he said.
A girl had a question about his famous kurta too. They were so good and popular, did he engage any designers? Narendra Modi’s reply was that he was the designer. As he had to do the washing himself till about 40 years, he found it difficult to wash long kurtas. He cut them so that they were short and, therefore, easy to wash. Short kurtas also occupied less space in his bag (as he was constantly travelling). “Now it has become a fashion. ‘Modi kurtas’ are being sold everywhere. My simplicity became a fashion,” he said.
Tackling criticism
On a question by a self-confessed woman fan on how he managed to stay calm in spite of criticism by media, he said he welcomed them, what happened in our country were not criticism, but allegations. He knew what he was doing, and did not bother about wild allegations by people who had vested interests.
When the agriculture growth in the country could not cross 3 per cent, Gujarat was able to record a growth of over 10 per cent and milk production had gone up by over 60 per cent.
Though Gujarat had surplus power, he had decided to invest in solar power to save the environment and Gujarat was now the largest producer of solar power in Asia. Though solar energy was expensive, by 2016, he was confident that the price of solar power would be equal to other conventional sources. Solar power panels over canals brought double benefits. Apart from producing power, the panels saved water from evaporating. His was the only State where there was a climate change department.
Narendra Modi was all praise for Google Plus, both at the beginning and at the end. He said technology had enabled people in different parts of the globe to talk together. He said preparations were done for the Hangout for more than a month and signed off saying "Google Plus was the pulse of the globe".
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Comments:
For the last several years, Modi has been successful in projecting his
"vibrant Gujarat" as a role model of economic growth and himself as
''Vikas Purush". Though one must give due credit to Modi for his
effective skills in making projections, one must also critically analyse
this "growth story of Gujarat" based on facts and figures. Regretfully,
as one examines the facts since Modi came to power in Gujarat in 2001,
the story appears to be hollow and, at times, contrary to what is being
projected.
Modi is an effective political administrator by any standard.He has a
mass following,particular among those who find BJP as acceptable
political force.But those who claim to be secularist,powerful and
numerously strong,for reasons that are well known and need not be
spelled out do not accept him.Congress decline may not convert into
BJP providing next PM,primarily due to its not getting 180 to 200
seats and two state stalwarts i.e.Yeddyurappa and Modi for entirely
different reasons.I wonder whether another leading BJP personality is
projected by the party as first among equals sooner than later to
enhance its chances of providing next PM.
During 1995-2000 and 2001-10, Gujarat increased its annual rate of
growth from 8.01% to 8.68%. But so is the case with other major states
such as Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and
Uttar Pradesh. In fact, Gujarat was ranked second after Rajasthan
(8.34%) in the first period and third after Uttarakhand (11.81%) and
Haryana (8.95%) in the second period. What is remarkable, Bihar and
Orissa, the two most backward and poverty-stricken states, have also
shown growth pick up from 4.70% and 4.42% in the first period to 8.02%
and 8.13% in the second period. Even smaller states like Sikkim and
Arunachal Pradesh have registered growth of 11.01% and 8.96%,
respectively.
During 2001-04, the rate of industrial growth for Gujarat was 3.95%, and
during 2005-09, it was 12.65%. In isolation, this appears to be a
phenomenal jump, but not so when compared to some other states. During
these sub-periods, industrial growth for Orissa was 6.4% and 17.53%; for
Chhattisgarh 8.10% and 13.3%; and for Uttarakhand 18.84% and 11.63%.
Thus, the hitherto industrially backward states have far surpassed
Gujarat
.In FDI, too, Gujarat has not been a leading state. During 2006-10,
Gujarat signed MoUs worth Rs 5.35 lakh crore with potential of 6.47 lakh
jobs. But Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu with Rs 4.20 lakh crore and Rs 1.63
lakh crore worth MoUs, expect about 8.63 lakh and 13.09 lakh jobs. To
top it all, Chhattisgarh and Orissa have signed MoUs worth Rs 3.61 lakh
crore and Rs 2.99 lakh crore more than Gujarat without much fanfare and
Modi's much-hyped industrial summits.
The amount of per capita deposit and per capita credit for Gujarat was
Rs 37,174 and Rs 24,268; while for Tamil Nadu, it was Rs 42,580 and Rs
47,964; Karnataka Rs 49,598 and Rs 38,154; and Maharashtra Rs 1,10,183
and Rs 89,575. Even Kerala did better than Gujarat with Rs 43,890 and Rs
27,912.
Modi first of all not a PM candidate. he is cheater for gujarat nothing doing for farmer claimimg surplus electricity and farmer,s not getting new electrical connecftion since 1996 also no rain in saurashtra nothing done till date coming election surely modi will loose.
Sir, The huge rush behind Narendra Modi is due to his ability to
perform and take variety of works linked to different sections of the
society, his confidence and courageous discussions with lower and
higher profile personalities, his control over administration and
language- using and showing his anger at proper time... and so on. The
only question now is that When Narendra Modi will be the next Prime
Minister of this Country?
This is the time / opportunity that if anybody having any doubts
including his so called rivals as well - shall think and act
accordingly. As this person encompasses different dimensions so
literally the public / JANTA will make such a move so that this
transforms in REALITY...!
IT WAS GOOD EFFORTS BY NARENDRA MODIJI.I LIKED.CONGRATULATION
its really so great time for looking here lot of comment to learn more regarding how to success in life through helping people by resources and activity ,,i want to become a good man rather than good person
I watched the recording of this session completely. I am following political news for last thirty years and never before have I seen a political leader having such a phenomenal vision for the development and growth of his country. For the first time India has a leader who is so selflessly dedicated to the cause of the people and country. It was amazing to know that Gujarat farmers get their soil report free of cost, farmers can video chat with agricultural experts to diagnose their crop's condition. Compare this to Sharad Pawar's Maharashtra where you don't get even death certificate without shelling out some money.
India can ill afford not to have Modi as their PM. I am sure history will one day judge Modi as India's greatest political leader after Lord Krishna.
This is a great news, Shri Narendrabhai Modi, CM, Gujarat live on google hang out, India's first leader and world's third leadear on google hang out. Keep it up, we are with you, this is called "VIKAS"-progress/development. You are with us,your vision is with us so definately we will lead to progress.
My other e-mail Id is rnparekh@rediffmail.com
Thanks for being leader of Gujarat. Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat
While Modi was busy on Google+ Hangout, his coleagues were to be hanged!
Narender modi is a wise man he know each & every thing he has far visson
India need PM like modi at this time there are no govt.corruption &
mehangai is on high level only modi is a man who can do something for
theese so modi ji pl come forward & change the nation like Gujrat
Hi Mr. Mody, Why in Guj. all GOV. and Under Gov.also all big company hire only out off state officer? why not Gujrati? Gujrat dosen't have Educate People? or Goverment sold out with Lobbyist? I think you worry about other country then Gujrati people. you control media and media not spick agains you that's you take advantage? If you have any qes.? just feel free to contact me. I have lots off Queastion about you Goverment.
Mr. Mody, did you know your party and your dept. now become a ROAD PARI TO KAROR PATI? why?example: did you know Mr. Karsan Patel and Laxman Patel from Billimora? what they are doing? why both off them now corrupted then any other Ele. Official.You are a good Man , you know how control media and how spick front off camera but you don't know how managed your department and your party. Did you know BJP menning? B= BIG, J= Jerk, and P=party.
Mr.Modi,
Is doing a great job for India .
A land of Gandhiji- Sardar Vallabhai Patel etc.
Modi is also turning to be a Iconic figure in Indian Politics.
Yes, he has all the Characters and personality to be the prime minister to lead India into the 22 nd century,with power and vision- Lead India to be the top economy with 50 % population having age of 12 to 25 years of age who are right -educated and think well.
we need to Educate the masses and harness -tap their brain energy into productive and futuristic technology and turn the economy to be trillions of dollars.
Empower and educate the women- introduce compulsory military training with yoga for 2years.
Establish technical colleges and hands on training at all grassroots levels.
Build a robust clean India .
Keep politics and religion at home and build working industrial India.
Be a factory to the world.
Make Gujarat a model for India.
Less or no talk and only action s with results.
Follow the chinese models.
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