Konichiwa Modi-san

Anata ga shushō Modisan to shite 100-nichi o kanryō omedetōgozaimasu.

Oops! sorry - the translation - "Congratulations on your completing 100 days as Prime Minister Mr. Modi". Well I got carried away with the new Indo-Japo bhai-bhai sentiment that the PM is expressing by talking, eating, dreaming, praying in Japanese. It will indeed be fab for India to attract Non US - Non Euro capital to it to build the Nation's infrastructure and upgrade its manufacturing base. It would be a win-win for Japan as well for a range of strategic reasons - economics being just one of them. 

Our ex brothers across the border (China - remember the Indo-Chini bhai bhai era?) are not too happy with this new brotherhood for a whole lot of strategic reasons and yes economics is just one little part of it. The PM will have to reassure the dragon that India has adopted Chinese food as its own just like half of China has taken to Bollywood style dancing. There is a lot riding on that relationship as well; and if there is realization that India makes a better brother than the one it has aligned with - better would it be for world security. 

So while all these international affairs are taking place, the mood at home is not that celebratory from the common Man's point of view. Food inflation is at its highest and that really hurts. The increase in GDP reduction in CAD and other such statistics fall apart when you talk to the man on the street trying to make ends meet to provide food on his table. On the other hand, those (a large minority) unaffected by food inflation are finding their investments inflated by the rising market do have a restrained smile on their faces. I guess the choice is hard; but the common man will have to wait. Creating an environment of investment stability and growth to attract money from across the globe will take precedence over many domestic issues. All the fires cannot be extinguished at once. 

It is quite noticeable that the PM is largely unnoticeable in the news when he is in the Country. It's good to let action speak for themselves and the PM is playing his cards like an experienced poker player. His trusted lieutenants are doing all the talking - some good - some bad; yet everyone can sense that its Modi talk that they can hear in the background. It is a one man show for now; and like proven by Indira Gandhi before - it works well in a nation like India. With the rain and oil Gods showering some of their grace on the PM; his next 100 days may offer a better report card - specially when India enters the phase of festivities - there will be real reasons for celebrating.