The wretched coronavirus story overshadows everything else in the news environment, and it is not about to go away any time soon.
But you know what, I am done with it. At least for this week. Give me my old-fashioned politics any time. But then, much of politics, barring the odd barb traded here and there, is also under suspended animation.
Therefore, we seek refuge in politics with a touch of coronavirus. On how Narendra Modi has handled the messaging on the biggest challenge of his public life. Let us begin with the messenger in him.
He has a gift none of his eight predecessors, from Manmohan Singh to Rajiv Gandhi, had: Being able to speak directly and convincingly to a large enough section of Indians who will take his word for gospel, and his order like a papal bull.
He is more than a worthy rival to Indira Gandhi on his ability to read the popular mind, especially that of his voters. No surprise that he has chosen to do all the messaging of his government by himself. He makes a bunch of statements, some platitudes, some shrewd nudges, and the rest then dutifully take over.
Within the hour of his finishing a speech, or even a half-speech like this Friday morning for the Sunday ‘9 minutes at 9 pm’ event, his entire cabinet, top party functionaries, social media warriors, RSS and BJP-linked intellectuals, all start tweeting passages from it.
In fact, after each of his four speeches to us in the coronavirus season, you could collate almost the entire text by just adding up the tweets of these key handles. When he speaks, they echo him, and nothing else. It ensures the ‘purity’ of the message. Everybody speaks in his voice.
That sorted, we come to the message itself, and how it has kept its central thread but changed in nuance. Helped along, of course, by his belief that no matter what he says or does, a critical mass of his people, and his core voters — which is a lot of voters — will believe him anyway. And even if he messes up, as with demonetisation, they will forgive him. Imagine what effect would it have had when he went on air with his Mann Ki Baat last Sunday and apologised to the country’s poor for “inconveniencing them”. Tens of crores of hearts would have melted immediately.
Also read: Why ‘family elder’ Modi, and not aggressive Amit Shah, is govt’s face in Covid-19 fight
Next, he will almost never say what he is going to do for you. Run your mind over his most significant speeches, and definitely the last four: Two addresses to the nation, then Mann Ki Baat, and Friday morning’s short ‘diya jalao’ message. Instead of telling people what he will do for them, he tells them what he wants them to do for themselves, and him.
From Swachh Bharat to withdrawal of LPG subsidy to the better-off, to demonetisation and now Covid-19, through all the other initiatives he has unveiled, he has invariably asked people to do something. Immediately, it makes them feel wanted, and responsible. Who doesn’t enjoy being taken seriously, and that too by such a powerful leader? He’s got the gift of seeking a sacrifice from people and pleasing them, instead of dispensing favours.
In these coronavirus speeches, he has done exactly this. In the first one, he said that he was going to ask them for a few weeks of their lives. But left it there. It was like a little inoculation to sensitise public opinion for what was coming.
He asked for a day’s Janata Curfew, which some of us had noted immediately was like a dry-run for a longer lockdown. He also asked for clapping and cheering for doctors, medical personnel, police and others providing essential services. He spiced it up with the idea of ringing of bells and clanging of thalis. You can laugh at this as much as you wish.
Can you, at the same time, discount that tens of millions across the country did exactly that, and ended up grateful for it? If at all, too many of them overdid it, for loudness as well as time, scaring poor birds and animals. The virus, in any case, isn’t even a fully live being, so it can’t be bothered with noise. Narendra Modi had neither promised, nor delivered anything. The people, if anything, had over-delivered on his call.
There is a pattern to Modi’s ‘apologies’ too. There was one in a speech in Goa when demonetisation had thrown the country into chaos; in a suitably choked voice, he said, give me 50 days. Just 50 days. If any fault is found in my intentions or my actions, I am willing to suffer any punishment given by the country. Of course, who would punish a leader for such ‘humility’?
Demonetisation was a blunder comparable with Mao’s assault on China’s sparrows. But here was such a powerful prime minister taking such a big risk — obviously with good intentions — and asking you to endure a little bit of suffering for his and the nation’s sake.
The Mann Ki Baat apology on coronavirus was more nuanced. He wasn’t saying sorry for a mess he might have created, but for the inconvenience unleashed by such a bold step, ‘to save India from annihilation by corona’. Please note that there wasn’t a mention of the migrant labourers’ exodus and crisis.
So, three lessons: First, Narendra Modi promises you nothing in his messaging. Second, he always asks you to do something for him and, thereby, the nation. And third, that he never regrets anything he has done. Never. Never a word like, I know we could have done this better.
Also read: Modi’s 9-min candle plan Sunday: Needless spectacle or much-needed motivation for Indians?
The fourth lesson is the most important denominator of his style. That he knows who he needs to speak to, who he should toss, and who he can’t ignore but can address in kind.
Translated, this means his critics, the commentariat, the so-called liberal upper crust and elites, will ridicule him for the juvenility of his ideas. There will be hundreds of memes and funny social media mentions about ‘taali and thaali’, ‘diya and mombatti’ and so on. He couldn’t care less. That is not the audience he is addressing.
The other audience he isn’t addressing but can’t ignore is the poor. He gets his majorities because they vote for him. But they do not control the discourse. Plus, the poor are smart, politically irreverential, and more questioning. Why risk it with them? The middle-class voter isn’t any of this and she sets the agenda. If she was more questioning, why would she be out on her ‘balcony’ with a thaali or a candle?
For the poor, Modi’s outreach is through direct and efficient delivery: Cash, LPG, toilets, housing, and there must be more to come. The message is not needed when money can work. His direct delivery of benefits to the poor has been phenomenally better and less leaky than anything in the past.
A criticism we hear, and in fact express often, is that Modi is infantilising India’s people. How else do you describe this taali, thaali, diya, mombatti, go-corona-go and other stuff we feel embarrassed about? But you know what, Modi knows who we are. Or, why would we rush out on the streets with thaali–chimtas and bands celebrating the humiliating retreat of corona? We even circulated WhatsApp links believing that this mass clanging would kill the virus. On Friday, an eminent doctor, a former head of the Indian Medical Association no less, spoke some mumbo jumbo about how the diya–mombattis would empower our ACE2 receptors to crush coronavirus into chutney.
This obviously went too far for him too. In his next speech, therefore, he made a strong pitch against superstition. In Friday morning’s, he brought in caution on people herding together on balconies and streets, reminding them of the need for social distancing.
Anyone who says he can read Modi’s mind is either a liar (most likely) or an avatar of Einstein. See this from where Modi sits. If I were to see this, here is what I’d say: Oops! These people are infants. But obedient infants. Every now and then, they might go too far in their zeal to obey, but I can caution them.
Modi is winning. Why should he be complaining? Or bothering with usual suspects accusing him of infantilising his voters when they are happy being just that: Obedient infants?
Also read: NRC to GST – How Modi & Amit Shah create Anxiety Raj and still win elections
It was mentioned in the article, that some of you(liberal gang) would feel embarrased by the thali clanging and clapping and bells ringing. May I ask who is watching that you’d feel embarrassed? Fed on a gravy of thoughts since childhood that much of Indian practices are worthless and embarrassing as compared to western or even eastern (as long as its foreign) tastes, you people start feeling embarrassed about what the world would think. I could help with that. The “non-Indian” people have gone on record in videos and stuff, loving the unity and SWAG of the thaali clanging and clapping of Indians. Your inconfidence in doing anything that foreigners (western or eastern) have not done before (in other words doing anything unique) is not a problem that majority Indian folks share. I salute the first guy in each colony or locality who started beating that thali with his chammach as if he/she was in the middle of a punjabi wedding or thinking it was time for aarti in the mandir. Kudos to that guy. And then the people around him/her joined in. What a F***in celebration… It was awesome… but then some guys would feel embarrassed. What to do, you’re so brainwashed, feelings of inconfidence & embarrassment is just a consequence. You should go see a shrink. Get a good one, a Japanese or French doctor maybe, definitely not an Indian one. How can he/she be good? They’ll probably would just prescribe beating thalis twice a day. Get treated abroad, they’ll take care of you self doubting and inconfidence problem.
Finally, I was able to find the name of the disease many are suffering from. It is called “Modi Derangement Syndrom”. The fact that they are forced to live under Modi dispensation makes them feel so tormented, they become deranged. And what do they do? Declare anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their worldview as “Obedient infants”. Reminds me of birthers, how they felt miserable while they were forced to live under Obama administration and how they went berserk. Same is the case with these Modi haters.
He, Who Will Not Reason, Is a Bigot; He, Who Cannot, Is a Fool; and He, Who Dares Not, Is a Slave.
Mr. Gupta, I’ll tell you what gift Modi has got. He has got the gift of fooling majority of Indians. They are so blind in their devotion to him that they cannot see the obvious. He is remarkable for always managing to divert the attention of the blind public from the real issues our nation faces and the failures of his govt. There are ample examples of this but no use listing them here. His actions are a prime example of a megalomaniac. In the last six years of his “rule”, not a single achievement can be counted which has really benefited the Indians as a whole. What’s the use of his so called “gift” of understanding his voters when our nation has been pushed to the dark ages because of his decisions or rather say, his whims and fancies?
at these difficult and challenging times, it is expected of a journalist of your stature to provide better content on the contemplation of guiding your readers as how best the society could direct its efforts to wriggle out of the mess we are into. As much as politician, a journa has as much responsibilities and I wish you would redirect your efforts to write on something such. People in this country are not ….. They are intelligent and wait for political transformations at the right time. They understand what you say and said in popular and it you journo community which has made them sensitive to such issues(power for yourself) instead of serving the nation’s call. Unfortunately some like should fall for such low is makes it difficult to digest.
One may say anything one likes. BUT, simply compare Modi’s five plus years’ governance to just the TEN year UPA fiasco, with scams and scandals galore., propped up by the Left now, and Mulayam then, surrendering meekly to Karunanidhi for anything he desired, for Oxygen. With that record, one shudders to even think of a UPA with Rahul at the helm.. And, as admitted, albeit grudgingly by Mr Gupta himself, Modi has indeed done handsomely over his predecessors. Why should he worry about what the likes of Rahul think and say? Hasn’t Rahul already ‘proved’ himself with Rafale, et al…, and losing election after election.?
Well-written. Our preference for melodrama (“nautanki”) is well-known (just look at the success of make-believe Bollywood potboilers), so it is hardly surprising that politicians will exploit that weakness.
Here you seem to have understood the way Modi operates. That’s how it should be. Criticize but appreciate what’s right and that makes a balanced journalist.
I too really fail to understand the reason you always criticise Modi for his actions, never heard you praising, strange.
No one can absolve PM Modi and hos govt for inaction about lack of planning , communicating, allocation resources, collaborating with states when information, warming and alerts were available about 2 month before the actual lock-down date. This is criminal negligence and should be held accountable in the public court. PM Modi can’t continue to harm people and cause death due to actions of commission, like demonetization, or omission like in the current pandemic. THIS CANNOT BE CALLED DEMOCRACY WHEN AN ELECTED LEADER ACTUALLY IS WORKING AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA.
Ha ha, remember the time when these brave and intellectuals were in front of Indira Gandhi.
Famously, when she asked to bend, all these brave hearts CRAWLED.
agree.No one is an intellectual here. Its all about giving the moral support to the people who are fighting against the corona pandemic. Some people would not take part in this exercise because of their own religious lockdowns that they have been under for several centuries, but its for the psychological strength of the masses that this was asked for. There might not have been any scientific proof that lighting up diyas would fight corona better, but the way people observed it is like a collective conscience waking up during these “boring” times. People will have something to do, even if it feels silly to some.
Lighting candles was exclusive prerogative of bleeding heart liberals. When they burnt candles at Waghe borders, or when Afzal Guru was being executed, it was okay to burn candles because that was for a much bigger cause. But showing solidarity with health workers, police etc.? Only low life can do such a thing.
I am a fan of you for your indepth analysis of all the current topics. But I really failed to understand why you always criticise Modi for all his actions . You association with NDTV which run programmes for 24/7 to denigrate Modi is not appreciated by many like us even you being one of the best political analyst in the present environment. So my request will be that you should be more objective while criticising Modi because in the opinion of most educated elites having indian value system like Modi as the best prime minister in the present scenario.Good luck
Maybe the author has a secret longing for disobedient types – like this one?
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/ophthalmologists-markaz-visit-causes-anxiety/article31258754.ece
Hello, I have been fan of Mr. Modi and great supporter of his vision and actions. I believe India is in safe hands of Mr. Modi.
At the same time, we need to be realistic and have responsibility of vigilant citizen.
I have been closely following Mr. Gupa’s cut the clutter program as well as his recommended daily briefing of Mr. Trump.
It is flattening to note the stark contrast on how seriously public information is taken by US as compared to India. How India, a superpower and 5th largest economy and leadership of quality of Mr. Modi, can afford to leave crucial public information job to joint secretary level persons like Mr. Lav Agrawal. US president trump, US FDA president Dr. Fauci and top leaders of all relevant departments are taking pain of press conferences of more than one and half hour daily to assure US public about their thinking, action plan etc. The charisma of top leaders like Mr. Amit shah, Dr. Harshvardhan etc can go a long way to boost morale and preparing the public to fight the deadly pandemic. Government of India and BJP shall look at it.
Shekar Gupta, you are a Congress chamcha like your fellow NDTV crowd and will poke fun at BJP and its Leaders. But we do not care, Modi will be re=elected 3rd time and great things will happen.
bhai itna criticism kisi aur nation mein karke dikhao. China se ask questions, and magic vl happen. USA if u dont know, see few last press meet.
I did not vote for BJP last time as the local candidate in my area belonging to opposition was better. However the rantings of pseuds and so called liberals in opposing Modi blindly have made me ironclad now in supporting him irrespective of certain minor shortcomings as otherwise these pseuds may destroy the country. who cares for these pseuds educated in capitalist USA but left leaners and products of
arrogant culture of Asian College of Journalism etc.
You have concerned yourself only with messaging part here.But he is also working hard.Consider the way he has taken all state govts on board in this fight.Is it a crime not to forsee an engineered exodus in Delhi? But he was quick to respond with relief measures.He is transfering 1500 rupees in 3 installments to women holding jan dhan accounts.There is 3 months free ration.There is control room with dashboards manned round the clock by ministers.Entire bureaucracy appears galvanized. World is praising the way we are handling this.A leader is all these plus his ability to communicate with his base rather expanding base!
agree !
Its in our genes to condemn our own Nation. These critics vl keep doing their thing, India vl keep doing what they think is right for them.
World moves in self interest. Supporters know perfectly well why they are supporting all these. It is another matter that pursuit of self interest may not always result in happy ending.
Modi always implementing his unpopular economic policies in crash landing exercises not soft landing methods to avoid colateral damages. His way of life. Late PVN as a PM he solved many critical issues Punjab terrorism, dirty mandir /Mandal politics in a amicable manner. Modi track record as PM highly unpredictable and impulsive in nature. Unfortunately we have to live such politicians. Instead of solving people’s hardship this government added woes/miseries is well known fact. Instead of lighting people’s livelihood he asks for total power shut down against Hindus customs and convention. Till we go to bed Hindus never switch off lights in kitchen and Pooja room. Certain calling today’s modi call related to numerology . Numerology is western concept and how come so called hard core hinduvita forces embraced by Western cultural heritage. To divert unplanned lock down hardships to the citizens rulers adopt different tactics like clapping, lighting etc etc. People fed up with tamashas of rulers gimmicks.
dear bakri he never said anything abt hinduism to do wid candle or thali.. its ur anti india brain cell deciphering it in that manner… peace… u may go to h…
dear badri he never said anything abt hinduism to do wid candle or thali.. its ur anti india brain cell deciphering it in that manner… peace… u may go to h…
PM Modi asked people to sacrifice for the nation for his one wrong after another wrong act saying it was for building strong nation. It is a sad story that people have sacrificed their common sense and suspended their logic for him. India continues to suffer year after year for his failed leadership but people continue to love and trust him. When India wakes up from dogmatic slumber, a very comfortable state of based on unexamined assumptions, will realize the colossal damage to democracy and their economic well being.
Guys Think ! Look at the facts and make your judgements.
Yes, very true.
Shekharji praises Modi’s ability to understand different audiences and to talk to them accordingly to impress upon them for votes or for building his image,. Shekharji conveys the obvious fact that this strategy has worked well till now. However, he misses to underline the long run damage it will cause to Nation as a whole and to the Indian mass too in their ability to think analytically.
Modi and his devotees follow the diktum: “Kutte Bnokte Rahte Hein Aur Karvan Chalta Rehta hai..”
Modi critics, his haters and so called ‘intellectuals’ ( NOT ‘infantile’), even if accepted the truth of this situation, could hardly stop ‘barking’ because: IT IS IN THEIR NATURE !
Could not expect this pathetic journalist to understand the meaning of word ‘solidarity’. And if your journalism was any good, you wouldn’t be writing for the print, Which only liberal losers seem to follow.
We do not want solidarity through stupidity, encouragement of pathetic superstitions, and chanting of mantras. Tell us what (1) are the arrangements for screening (2) the arrangements for PPE for staff (3) number of beds and ventilators (4) number of testing kits (5) what is the time scale, when is the peak (6) possible medicines and vaccines (7) plan for the economy, especially for the poorest who are the majority.
And telling us what he will do is not dispensing a favour. Someone who becomes a PM has to show a national plan in an emergency. We see that in other countries.
Sadly we don’t deal in hard facts, we lull people in a make-believe world with soothsaying.
One would have wished our beloved PM would level up with the people of this country and assure us with truthful answers in these trying times.
Well said, Rasgolla!
UK and US governments are struggling with PPE and all other ancillary stuffs. India is no different.
The UK and the US govts. have shortages, but they are not encouraging pseudo scientific/pseudo religious processions and cures, as a refuge. Here, these are substitutes to a scientific approach. The ex President of the Indian Medical Association endorsed this lamp lighting ceremony, saying it is derived from quantum principles ! There is no country in the world that is mired in superstitions like this. This has come because of Modi.
Given our limited resources, there should be better planning. Countries like Cuba are showing what is possible even with limited resources. In India, only Kerala and its CM have come out with a respectable plan for health and local economy. They handled the flood 2 years back and nipah vurus well. So even with limited resources, India can do better.
TRIED TO DESCRIBE MODI, GOT CONFUSED IN BALANCING BETWEEN HIS CRITICISM AND APPRECIATION…. ?
We people of india chose ‘ Modi’ as a ‘Prime minister’ forgetting all his criminal record because he is a Hindu.
And Modi chose his own media to present himself as the ‘ best prime minister ‘ inspite of worst performance of our country in every sector.
Vah modiji vah.
This country only disregarded Rahul Gandhi as prime minister of India, even though he is also a hindu
AN OVER-SMART WRITER TRIES TO DESCRIBE MODI, GOT CONFUSED IN BALANCING BETWEEN HIS CRITICISM AND APPRECIATION….
As usual, Shekhar is showing his consummate skills in writing but he is clever by half. First of all, which of the 3 lessons he draws about Modi are also not true for any other leader? Which PM has ever said he could have done something better? Which PM has ever regretted any decision? Did Nehru regret China blunder or Kashmir imbroglio? Did Rajiv regret Sikh riot of 1984 or IPKF operation in Sri Lanka? Did Indira Gandhi regret emergency? Address to the nation by the PM are for specific events and purposes and there is no question of promising but asking for support for government actions. Modi knows what he was trying to achieve was difficult and painful for everyone. And if he said so explicitly, you will then accuse him of fake sympathy or excuses! So let us accept one thing- Modi is a smart leader who knows bucks stops with him but he can connect easily with the entire country and divide people into those into two clear parts -those who like him and those who hate him; there is hardly anyone who is indifferent to him. But the interesting part is – many of those who hate him finally end up voting for him as there is no credible alternative to Modi! Shekhar should worry about this aspect of Indian politics today rather than try to find fault with Modi! Forget Congress but no other leader from any party in India can match him.
Anyway let us forget all this schadenfreude, Shekhar and get to the next stage after 21 days of lock down. It is clear that Modi is looking to go for partial lifting of the lock down. He will have one more event on day 21 and then in next 3 weeks he will make everything normal. There will be adequate infrastructure for supporting new cases and managing the epidemic. And life will re start with newer headaches to manage!
Wow what optism!