Who else but Modi

Something weird and abnormal happened to my family this year- they actually tuned in to watch all the election updates and although one parent kept rooting shamelessly for Modi often talking about his great track record as CM while serving us sambar for lunch, the other parent staunchly supported Rahul Gandhi.

Not surprisingly, the parent who supported Rahul eventually had to put up with hoots and boos when CM Modi became PM Modi! So what is it about this gentleman that's suddenly making every Indian on this planet proud of being one?

Let's leave aside all the highly encouraging little steps that he's taking to make this country better. What I find so welcoming is that probably for the first time India actually has a prime minister who came with a plan for the nation and is highly intent on seeing it through. So, India finally has a prime minister who isn't too bothered about the nasty little jibes that come his way, but is able to stay focused on the job every day? Looks like our prayers may just have been answered.

I've lived in countries other than India and I've never been more aware of my brown skin than when I was abroad. Somehow, everything about being Indian just sticks out- the way we eat, the way we dress, the curly hair, etc etc. But there's now this new sense of pride that's slowly creeping in and it's so encouraging to see other nations give our large country the respect we've deserved all these years. Suddenly, the papers are flooded with articles about Indians everywhere and how we're making a difference.

I was watching Modi's address at Madison Square yesterday and boy I loudly clapped and cheered and stood rod straight for the national anthem too. Going by the size of the crowd that turned up to watch and hear him in person, I would say that Modi has undoubtedly arrived. And India too. For me personally, Modi has re-ignited a flame of patriotism and communityhood which I thought had long died. So, whoever said that one gets less taken by surprise as the years go by was wrong. I discovered that surprises get better as one gets older!