Modism does work (Letter to Editor)
N S Venkataraman, The Times of India
December 31, 2007

Narendra Modi’s election victory is a positive sign for India’s future. A few months back, I went to Gujarat to make a presentation to the board of directors of a large state-owned public sector company for a project proposal. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they spent a lot of time and had come prepared with a thorough background study. They asked searching and positive questions. When I inquired with a senior executive about the sustained interest that the officials had shown, which to me is unusual of public sector units, I was told that in Gujarat the management boards of PSUs are allowed to operate without interference from politicians. The directors took personal interest because they knew that their decisions would be final and they would not be overruled by a minister or other members of the ruling party. This, to me, explains the reasons for the progress Gujarat has made under Modi.
In the present time, when politicians facilitate the entry of their wives, children and other kinsmen into politics, Modi’s style is in sharp contrast as he has favoured no one. He is one rare politician who has not been accused even by his worst enemy of having amassed wealth by corrupt practices.