A template of fine writing & good timing

I HAVE A GRIPE with Uday Mahurkar, nay Indians in general, especially educated, intelligent ones at that. Why do we still glorify our elected representatives of states as “rulers” on the one hand and decry dynasty politics on the other?

That said and if you can shrug off the attendant urbane intellectual meanderings that lead you to a snide “welltimed” among other nasty things like “a Modi acolyte?”, the book is an interesting read for its spotlight on what we have been hearing about the “dynamic” Chief Minister of Gujarat whose model of “good governance” can be the pilot for India once he assumes office as Prime Minister.

With political slugfest in the background, where everything is being blown out of proportion—the good, the bad and the ugly—the book acts as a touchstone to judge Modi. Mahurkar is no rookie to writing on Gujarat or Gujarat politics. A journalist who has reported consistently on the state for the last 26 years or so, Mahurkar brings an economy of words and a precision to detail with his clean and structured writing. As you read on, you also realise that Centrestage is not just an expose of all the good work done by Modi but a fine critique of Gujarat’s development model (in parts). That Mahurkar has steered clear of controversial topics as Godhra is more perhaps due to the design of the book which focusses on development as the central theme and how this can be replicated on the larger national platform than anthing else. While Modi’s “Nation First’ will find echoes in many hearts heavy with ennui of sectarian politics, I for one have reservations regarding concepts like ‘Bhagwan No Bhog’ and ‘Tithi Bhojan’ that promote giving among the rich. The compassion smacks of rulers’ largess and will perpetuate the mentality of mai-baap and ji huzoor in Indians who have been exposed to centuries of dynastic rule. Under Modi we are certainly hoping for a better model of inclusive and equal participatory governance for India. The media has taken rare pleasure to either paint Modi as a Hindutva bigot or a demigod. From labeling him ‘ab tak chappan for his chappan inch chhati’ remark to decimating him to pieces over his “felt-sad-no-guilt” response to the riots of 2002, the relish that Indian media feels in trying to make Modi squirm is remarkable. But all through this, as far as Gujarat is concerned, Muslims have remained immune to Modi’s national media image. Mahurkar provides plenty of evidences to substantiate these claims. Whether Gujarat template will kickstart India’s stalled growth only time will tell. For now, with several journalists turning authors in this one of a kind election, there is much being written on our leaders. Modi, of course, takes Centrestage.