Change necessarily does not come from big bang announcements or schemes. Some times, solution for even cryptic problems can be very simple and Prime Minister Narendra Modi understands this very well. Therefore, as he completed two years in the office on Thursday, he used the occasion to announce that the retirement age for government doctors has been extended upto 65 years.
Kickstarting the anniversary celebrations from politically crucial and election-bound Uttar Pradesh, he also had an appeal for the doctors. “I appeal to all doctors in the country to offer free treatment to pregnant women who are poor on the 9th of each month. Please give 12 days in a year for the poor,” he said. Poor infrastructure and depleting strength of medical staff have weakened the country’s health system like anything and women have been the worst victim of this decay.
Congress leader Digvijay Singh was right when he said that Modi has the gift of the gab. “Yeh desh badal raha hai magar kuchh logon ka dimaag nahin badal raha hai (the country is changing but minds of some people are not),” Modi further said in an obvious reference to the Opposition.
On Opposition
Yeh desh badal raha hai magar kuchh logon ka dimaag nahin badal raha hai (the country is changing but minds of some people are not),” he said in an obvious reference to the Opposition.
On Welfare schemes
It had become a fashion to formulate schemes for votebanks. But for me, all 125 crore people are my family. There is no caste or religion for me, and all our schemes are for everyone.
On Women
I appeal to all doctors to give 12 days in a year for their poor sisters and mothers... This is not asking for too much.
On Corruption
In the past two years, my biggest achievement is that there has been no blot of corruption on my government, and even our rivals have not levelled any allegation of corruption against us.
On Federalism
My biggest decision was to give 65 per cent to the states and keep only 35 per cent with the Centre because as chief minister, I knew what lack of resources meant.
DC take:
Everything seems to be going in favour of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. While the party did exceedingly well in the recent Assembly elections, it has so far managed to stay away from facing any major charge of corruption. However, fringe saffron elements, controversial issues like beef ban, intolerance have led a bad taste in the mouth. NDA has three more years in office and it will be interesting to see how it manages to keep up the momentum.
