M

y letter entitled '€œGood leaders urgently required'€, in which I expressed an earnest desire to see Narendra Modi become the prime minister of India, was published in The Jakarta Post in the month of January. The Lok Sabha (Lower House) results in India are out and the 53 crore people who voted have selected Modi as the new face of India.

I write in reference to the article, '€œUS has uneasy ties with Indian election leader'€ published in the Post on May 14. Here I would like to quote Nelson Mandela: '€œIf the United States of America are having elections, they don'€™t ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.'€ Judging by the landslide victory, Modi has proved that he is the leader of the people. He addressed nearly 300 rallies and through them he communicated and connected with every Indian, rich or poor, old or young. The allegations against such good leaders are the outcome of political or personal rivalry. Hence, they should not be taken seriously.

Modi is a very strong, intelligent, practical and down-to-earth leader. Throughout campaigning, there was one slogan that echoed from all corners: '€œGood days are about to come.'€ India desperately needs such a leader, who has the potential of filling the hearts of the youth with hope, courage and optimism. India needs a leader who has the power to eradicate corruption, unemployment and control inflation, and in Modi the country saw such a powerful leader.

There was a Modi-wave right from the time when he was declared a prime ministerial candidate by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and on the day of exit polls this wave turned into a tsunami that washed out many well-established leaders of the outgoing government. People voted in large numbers and showed the power of common people. The common people, who had begun to feel depressed, dejected and helpless in the hands of meek leaders, gathered and raised their voice for change.

He generated new hope of employment in the minds of youth, the future of any nation. In other words, we can say that Modi brought the whole of India together '€” a feeling of oneness was generated in all. This time there was clarity in the minds of voters and this proves that people cannot be fooled or misguided indefinitely. Power without accountability led the present government to a huge defeat.

Modi was denied a US visa in 2005, but the Barack Obama administration began mending fences in February after seeing the Modi-wave in India, which speaks a lot about the caliber and strength of the would-be Indian prime minister. It is true that if its leader is strong, a nation will receive respect. Modi is not only the leader of the nation, he will be the leader of the world, such are the emotions of the people of India after the victory.

I have always compared Modi to the great leader
Abraham Lincoln, whose father used to mend shoes. Modi'€™s father ran a tea stall and his mother cleaned utensils in houses, to earn enough to raise their children. We salute such leaders
who come from humble backgrounds and become an inspiration for nations.

Indu Nandal
Purwakarta, West Java