Now, he reminds us of Mahatma Gandhi's principles, and exhorts us to celebrate democracy

Common Indians and Indian politicians have not yet finished pondering over Narendra Modi's lesson in secularism given at a Haryana rally on Sept 15. But yesterday (Sept 22), he came out with more lessons for the world and Indians while addressing the annual national convention of Overseas Friends of BJP in Florida via video conferencing. So, efforts have begun for an image makeover to appear as a world leader and statesman!!!

According to the NDTV website, some of the lessons preached and thoughts expressed during the video conference by Modi (and my reactions in brackets) are:

• Gandhi's principles and message shout out to us that we should spread peace and fight terrorism. (Was there a short-term memory loss about Gandhi's message in his own Gujarat in 2002?) 
• Under the NDA, not only Indians but across the world it was believed that 21st century was India's time to shine. (But Indians didn't believe in NDA's Shining India poll campaign in 2004 and voted it out.) 
• It is necessary to collectively move forward. (So, then why these frequent disruptions of Parliament on issues which are either under investigation or just can't be raised in Parliament?)    
• We owe everything to India, our achievements. (If it is so, then shouldn't Modi give Pt Nehru credit for laying the foundation for a pluralist, democratic India? After all, India had such socio-economic and democratic conditions which enabled people with humble backgrounds like Modi and Mayawati to use their karishma to realize their dreams.) 
• 2014 is a year of big decisions. (Here I am on the same page with Modi. Yes, I am eager to see whether aam Hindustani's decision at the EVM  is in tune with the Modi hype created on social and main media.) 
• There is a lot of hue and cry about who will become the PM. (Isn't this hue and cry only centred on Modi and limited to BJP?) 
• Leaders will come and go, elections aren't for a post — its for the dream that Indians hold. (Is there any change of heart regarding allowing LK Advani to sport potential PM tag?) 
• Like 1977, 2014 will be the voice of the people. (My reaction given below.) 
• I appeal to all in India and across the world: let us prepare for this democratic celebration. (My reaction given below.)

Modi  has this habit of telling people, particularly young Indians, half truths. It's not in 2014 that we would get a chance to celebrate democracy. We have already had many democratic celebrations in the past, like when we voted out Indira Gandhi, who many today consider a very powerful PM, in 1977 despite her surname Gandhi. Or, when we defeated Rajiv Gandhi in 1989 despite his Gandhi surname and despite his landing a historic win of 400 plus seats for the Congress five years earlier in 1984.

Now, about the half truth concerning 1977. We had voted out Indira Gandhi, and India got the golden opportunity of establishing a two-party system with the newly-formed Janata Party coming to power. But because of individual political aspirations of the leaders of Janata Party with which BJP's erstwhile avatar Jana Sangh had also merged, Janata Party split into many parties. Seeing the fate of Janata Party, Indians had another democratic celebration by bringing Indira back to power in 1980. 

Young India should also know that great leader Jaya Prakash Narayan, who was the inspiration behind Janata Party, died a sad man seeing the Janata Party infighting. 

Awaiting for next lessons from Modi. By the way, one Netizen informs that to bring Tata's Nano to Gujarat every Gujarati was burdened with Rs 66,000, and in GDP growth Gujarat is at No 5 among Indian states with Maharashtra topping the list.