PrintFriendlyA Report :-
On 22nd May 2015, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF) organized a public discussion in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi, on the occasion of the completion of one year of the Narendra Modi Government. The title of the discussion was: “Redefining Governance & Foreign Policy: Discussing One Year of the Narendra Modi Government.” SPMRF partnered with the students and scholars’ forum of JNU “India First”, in organizing the discussion.
The programme saw the participation of a large number of students, scholars and a select group of faculty members. The panelists were, K.G.Suresh, senior journalist and senior consulting editor DD News, Jayadeva Ranade, foreign affairs expert , China specialist and former Additional Secretary Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India and Nitin Gokhale, defence and security analyst and senior journalist.
K.G.Suresh spoke in detail about the change in perspective and attitude towards governance that has come about in the last one year and dwelt at great length on some of the flagship schemes of the Narendra Modi Government and of how it has made a difference and evolved a connect with the vast majority of people. It was evident, Suresh argued, that there was clear, decisive, purposeful and goal-driven leader and leadership in the country in the last one year.
Jayadeva Ranade spoke at length on the pragmatic approach of Narendra Modi’s foreign policy of how in the last one year dimensions of that policy have been redefined by this strong element of pragmatism that the Prime Minister has introduced. India’s neighbourhood policy, her outreach to the IOR, to the Asia-Pacific and the East as well as the inclusion of the Make in India dimension were all discussed in detail.
Nitin Gokhale spoke on how the defence sector, facing a decay of colossal neglect, has been re-energised in that last one year and how that has instilled a sense of purpose and energy in the forces. Gokhale discussed in detail how the Rafale deal shall boost India’s airpower and pointed out that it was a dynamic step forward that has introduced great energy in the defence sector. He also pointed out how a new DPP has been envisaged etc.
Dr. Anirban Ganguly, Director, SPMRF, initiated the discussion and summed the entire session. He pointed out that the Government under Prime Minister Modi was in fact working for all sections, especially the marginalized and was empowering them, giving them a sense of security and empowerment. He referred in some detail to the MUDRA Bank initiative and of how it was a major step forward to strengthen the unorganized sector in India, especially the SC & ST entrepreneurs.
A lively question and answer session followed the presentations and great interest was seen among the participants and there was a positive enthusiasm for the Government’s efforts.