The Modi Network

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media following continues to grow with his X followers crossing nine crore. Not only does he have far more followers than any other Indian leader (Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has a shade over 2.4 crore followers) but the prime minister has a large number of foreign followers, including political figures, academics, business innovators, and other newsmakers. Despite the tumultuous nature of social media, Modi’s handle does not offer many political statements or loud rhetoric. The posts are largely about government decisions and take note of various developmental activities. The latest decision of the Union Cabinet to reduce the cost of cooking gas has been explained as a timely measure to increase the joy on the occasion of Rakshabandhan and yet reflects the response of the government to the popular discomfort over high LPG costs, a factor that irked voters in the Karnataka election. Unlike social media personalities like former US President Donald Trump, who is now back on X, Modi’s posts are sedate and tempered. Yet, the social media handle combines with other channels like YouTube (where his interviews and speeches can be found) and the NaMo App to deliver a formidable punch. There is a wide and continuous broadcast of the prime minister’s activities and statements. It is a fact that the hectic pace of his engagements keeps the platforms more than busy. Apart from Modi’s engagements, the NaMo App often features people who have known him offering brief insights into their association. The MyGov channels compliment the prime minister’s handle and provide a more in-depth view of government initiatives. A comprehensive newsletter issued by the Centre is a useful summation of official activity involving Modi and the government and reached the mailboxes of publishers and journalists all over the country. It can be seen that the prime minister does not really depend on traditional media to communicate his message. Given the news value attached to his actions, media, big and small, report his statements in detail. All of this is then further amplified on social media and the internet. Editors have long understood the value of putting ‘Modi’ in a headline and how this immediately attracts more eyeballs. Even though social media may often seem like a bee swarm, often not more than a few thousand handles are involved in any particular commentary or issue. And while the ideological opponents of Modi and BJP are loud and active on social media, their net impact is less impressive as the prime minister’s messaging is much more pervasive and persuasive.

NEP at Three

The National Education Policy (NEP) has completed three years and despite the occasional rows—often stirred by partial accounts—over additions and deletions in syllabi, it is being rolled out by most states. The Centre has advocated the use of mother tongue as the preferred medium of education in the initial years of schooling and at college level students are getting used to the option of a four-year undergraduate course, a decision that makes the pursuit of graduate (post-graduate) studies abroad much simpler. The first instalment of ₹630 crore to 6,207 schools of PM SHRI Yojana was recently released along with education and skill course books translated in 12 Indian languages. The reduction in school workload and the addition of practical work for students is becoming the norm though old habits die hard and some parents and institutions continue to advocate an emphasis on rote learning. The education system has been a stronghold of the Left and its advocates are strongly feeling the pain of change. They have been vocal in opposing all the reforms, including the national-level college entrance test which decreases the primacy of the Class 12 examination. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) can do with improvements but it, just as exams like NEET, provide a level playing field and a more transparent method of admission.

Rural Boom

Encouraging news about the rapid penetration of the internet in rural areas is leading government planners to consider ways to use online methods to deliver developmental goals in areas such as financial inclusion, health and education. In the last nine years, technology and internet consumption in rural areas has increased in comparison to cities. The number of internet subscribers increased by 158 per cent in urban areas and 200 per cent in rural areas between 2015 and 2021, according to an official statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Multi-pronged efforts have been made through various schemes to improve standards of living and increase incomes. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a key initiative to tackle poverty and as many as nine crore women have been reached through self-help groups. According to this fiscal’s Economic Survey, the rural female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has risen from 19.7 per cent in 2018-19 to 27.7 per cent in 2020-21.

Ramaswamy’s Moment

The candidature of businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, the ‘wildcard’ entry on the Republican presidential hopefuls list, is making waves and not least for getting under the skin of the pro-Democrat media. Though former President Donald Trump leads all Republican challengers by a mile and more—and his lead has solidified even as the Biden administration’s allies have launched a prosecution against him and 18 others for seeking to overturn the 2020 election results—Ramaswamy’s smooth unlined face can be seen on most channels. After a testy interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins where he objected to a clip wherein he called for arming every Taiwanese household with a gun as a very partial editing of his remarks, Ramaswamy was on Fox where he was also closely questioned on his statements on Israel. The maverick candidate claims he is more direct about defending Taiwan than any other candidate in either the GOP or Democratic field and has attracted the support of right-wingers on social media for his duels with liberal commentators. His candidacy, however, may not go very far and his formulations on several issues do seem under-informed, if not downright foamy.

BRO Delivers

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has done a fabulous job of completing infrastructure development tasks assigned to it for the Amarnath Yatra by June 15, much before the start of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave. In order to start the infrastructure work on time, the snow clearance work was begun. Then necessary equipment for construction and maintenance of roads was brought to the construction site using Chinook helicopters and the width of the route has been increased from eight feet to 12 feet with the use of rock breakers and hydraulic rock splitters. This has made the passage of devotees smoother and BRO says new routes were also constructed to save the devotees from the arduous climb on steep slopes while reducing active landslides. BRO also installed a 34km-long guardrail while eight bridges on the Baltal road and 10 on the Chandanwadi road were also repaired. To provide shelter during monsoon, 25 facilities were constructed. Despite the challenges and difficulties, BRO completed the scheduled work and contingents have been deployed to help ensure the yatra runs smoothly.

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