Disillusionment With Prime Minister Independence Day Speech

My wife remained glued to TV today early morning to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi second Independence speech.  She had religiously listened to Prime Minister last year on his maiden speech and was much impressed.  Last year, she was full of enthusiasm expecting better performance from Modi than country's first economist Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. She wasn't impressed with meek and humble nature of Dr. Mamohan Singh. For her, a steel man like Sardar Patel was needed to teach a lesson to Pakistan and Modi fitted into her hero PM. Sadly, she is disillusioned now.  I still believe that Dr.Manmohan Singh was better positioned to understand the fundamentals of Indian economy.And  if a economist  PM couldn't deliver the goods , its doubtful a typical RSS trained prachark can deliver. For one thing, the India's socio-economics are  too complex and weaving them to a framework of delivery  isn't that easy. For another, Modi is more driven by " the rhetoric of saffron agenda" than the pragmatic policies. As such, rhetoric are bound to creep into his policies and programs. PM's this time ID speech confirms this. My wife also agrees with me. She is disillusioned with Modi's speech saying there was nothing special to boast about. She was more curious to know Modi's 'attitude' towards Pakistan. She like other Indians is fed-up from India's lacklustre approach. Pakistan is openly challenging India, exporting terrorism and  spoon-feeding  anti-India sentiments in Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistani flags are being hosted every now and then on our land. Can we do this in Pak-occupied Kashmir?   The incumbent Prime Minister boasted too much while in opposition and even called UPA govt "napunsak (impotent). "We will teach Pakistan a lesson", Modi and other BJP leaders used to say.  Where are those brave words now? Prime Minister didn't utter a word on Pakistan and recent terror attack in Punjab's border district Gurdaspur despite three time tight security at Red Fort and in Delhi this time. "Threat perceptions" this time were much higher and India is gradually becoming more and more insecure each year. Prime Minister took credit  to arresting inflation but didn't mention the steps taken. Modi govt is lucky to rule country at a time when crude oil prices are at its lowest in five years. India's import bill has fallen as much as 24 percent ever since Modi govt took over.This has helped to bring down wholesale prices. There is no role of Modi govt in bringing down the fuel prices. The wholesale Price Index (WPI) is largely determined by fuel prices. India is 80 percent dependent on imported oil  and as such 80 % of our import bill consist of expenditure on oil. This has played a much great role in bringing down the WPI despite higher vegetable and milks products' prices. Common Man's  biggest concern is not how "Team India" performs and how many bank accounts are opened and how many people have surrendered the LPG subsidy. He is more concerned about his day-to-day chorus: Roti, Bijli-pani and education of children. We have yet to find govt doing enough o these fronts. The power supply is still erratic and unannounced cuts are order of the day. BJP promised to ensure 24 hours supply hasn't seen the light of the day. Regular water supply even in villages are a distant dream. No end to corruption in govt offices. Patwaris and cops demand money  openly. Files in offices don't move without greasing the palms of 'babus". Nothing has changed except the govt.