A Memorial for India’s Prime Reformer

The decision of the Narendra Modi Government to erect a memorial for former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao deserves wholesome praise. Rao, who was disowned by his party, the Congress, after Sonia Gandhi took charge of it in the late 90s, had initiated India’s economic reforms process that transformed the country. The former Prime Minister, who died in 2004, was denied a memorial by the UPA Government led by his own party, which seems to honour only members of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

The decision sends out a message that this is not a country of ingrates. When Rao took charge, India was a bottomless pit for foreign aid, on the verge of an external default, and its Licence Raj was stifling economic activity. If India is seen globally as an emerging superpower today, Rao’s transformation of economic and foreign policy has played the biggest role. The Modi Government deserves appreciation for acknowledging Rao’s contribution to the country. The memorial is welcome.

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