Baroness Shreela Flather
I went to India in April. The feeling there is that things are changing slightly for example, you can find people in their offices on time. There is little visible sign of substantive changes which are so necessary. The feeling is that the Prime Minister wants to take it slowly rather than be radical. This view is from talking to people who are involved in these issues. Of course most people feel it is time for him to be radical and not take it slowly since he is in such a strong position. Time is also being wasted in the parliament on the whole issue of Hindutava which is extremely sad. Clearly Modi has not supported the Hindu organisations but at the same time he has not strongly dismissed them since he started in politics with their support. I am also awaiting to see what is going to be done to protect women. It was absolutely unacceptable that the documentary "Daughter of India" was banned.
Alok Sharma, MP
On economic policy, the Modi government is clearly heading in the right direction. India’s economic growth is now on par with China’s, inflation is down and business confidence improved. The liberalisation of rules on FDI in many industries is welcome, as is the huge investment in infrastructure. Businesses will still be hopeful that Modi can reduce complexity by harmonising India’s complex regional sales taxes. Modi has sought to improve foreign relations and has vigorously courted the US, Japan, China, Australia and Germany. A visit to the UK is now well overdue, so I hope this will be priority in the coming year. The British Indian Diaspora is ready to give Modi a Hero’s welcome.
Sanam Arora, President, National Indian Students Union
A year is not a long period of time in politics, and this is especially relevant when speaking of a country like India. India has placed tremendous trust and has extremely high expectations of the Modi government, and rightfully so. This government has demonstrated that it is a strategic government and understands the significance of economics. The big win overall is the strong foundation that has been laid in a strategic fashion. Incremental steps - necessary in the case of the complicated nation that is India - have been taken and have provided a strong base now on which strong and brave steps need to be taken. For me the two key things I expect from Modi are around education and female safety. Firm and bold steps need to be taken in this area.
Lord Raj Loomba CBE
I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi and his team for completing the first year in office with laurels. During these 12 months, he has visited many countries and raised India’s profile enormously and made the Indian diaspora very proud all over the world. He is a Prime Minister of People, who wants to help the rich and poor alike. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year. We discussed the plight of widows and their children in India. He was pleased that the Loomba Foundation got 23rd June recognised by the United Nations as International Widows Day. He gave me invaluable advice and guidance about empowering disadvantaged widows in India
Lord Dolar Popat
Given the scale of his election win, expectations were always going to be unrealistically high of Narendra Modi. He’s shown himself to be an astute operator, picking battles like improving performance in Delhi whilst continuing to speak clearly about the bigger challenges India faces. Economically India looks stronger than it did a year ago, but there is still room for improvement. Modi knows that his Premiership will be a marathon not a sprint, and turning around challenges like poor infrastructure, a balance of payments deficit and rural poverty takes time. But he’s going in the right direction.
Trupti Patel, President of Hindu Form Britain
A year ago the aspirations of India came together with PM Modi winning the election. He has in this time raised the international profile of India to be not only positive, but also as a serious world player. For the first time in five decades the world is taking India seriously and with that comes respect and honour for all Indians. PM Modiji has also instigated ground-breaking policies within India to increase efficiency, productivity and in skills development for the masses, for a better future. Its early days, but I see a bright future for the new emerging India. Jai Hind.
Sharad Parikh, President NCGO (UK)
We were expecting to see change rapidly according to his pre-election promises. Coming in as chai walla the poor had found someone who will understand the difficulties and Modi will turn their life for the better. That's the change we want to see. But Modi has elevated India on to the world stage. His frequent foreign travels, his charisma have made him a star. His open arm policy of welcoming Indian diaspora from round the world has given them a stronger bond to the homeland that has made them feel that they are NRIs - Now Required Indians! On each visit abroad he has offered a concession. For USA & Australian visitors he gave them visa on arrival. Will he announce the same on his visit to UK, including direct flights to Ahmedabad that he promised as chief minister of Gujarati? Make in India has been his beckoning call but the judicial system (as seen by the shameful let off of Salman Khan) will have turned many off investing in India. When things go all a bit messy where is the judicial system to back them?
The pre-election promise to install toilets in schools and at railway stations has started but what use are they when you don't have running water round the clock? In the complex country, change will take a lot longer than hoped but Modiji will definitely do better.
Lord Noon of St John’s Wood Kt, MBE
Prime Minister Modi swept to power one year ago with the majority of the country firmly behind him. We all had high expectations and he has already started to deliver on them. He has met with many foreign leaders and these same leaders will be looking to do business with India. Prime Minister Modi has shown them how competitive India is for manufacturing and other businesses looking to invest here. Prime Minister Modi has done a great job in his first year and with the help and support of the country behind him he will continue to change India for the better.
Uday Dholakia, Chairman of Indo British Trade Council
Narendra Bhai is a seasoned captain, on the front foot; scoring well with diplomacy, inward-investment and prompt support to Nepal. This has reflected well on scoreboard at home and abroad. The fielding around actual and perceived corruption is somewhat lethargic. The fitness of the team, or rather the lack of it can hardly be blamed on the captain. A canny strategist, who is in for winning the test series, whist still very cognisant of the fact the team-work has a long way to go. Walking on the pitch he has the unique capacity and charisma to engage and inspire.
