~By Dilip Bobb

In drawing rooms, on mass public transport, gyms and offices across India, recent events have triggered a heated debate about Modi and whether he has overextended himself. This has led to arguments, fist fights, chain snatchings, road rage, divorce appeals raids and riots. The situation is best illustrated in a conversation between two colleagues in the office canteen. Here it is, verbatim, or verbadin. 

First Colleague: Here’s the burning question. Are your parathas warm enough? Yes, as I was saying, this Modi issue…

Second Colleague: I agree, things are warming up, including the parathas.

First Colleague: On the subject of Modi, there were some warning lights that no one seems to have noticed. Or if they did, they were complicit in their silence.  Let’s chew on that.

Second Colleague: Quite delicious, my compliments to your wife, but as I was saying, this Modi magic was creating waves.

First Colleague: I agree but the luster is now gone. Can you pass the pickle?

Second Colleague: Yes, he does seem to find himself in a bit of a pickle, but I am one of those who believe that he is highly successful at his job, he has taken us to a new level of acceptance, he has earned a lot of goodwill here and abroad, he is regularly featured in the list of powerful people and he is spreading his name and fame in different parts of the world. In other words, he is shining bright as in India shining.

First Colleague: Bright lights can be deceptive. It can blind you to the imperfections, as in diamonds and other precious stones that are passed off as collateral…

Second Colleague: A diamond in the rough, that is the way my wife always describes him. She is a great admirer. She is in awe of his initiatives and the different ideas he keeps coming up with to showcase his vision to the public. You must admit, he does create an aura and he is someone you can bank on.

First Colleague: I always abide by the old saying that all that glitters is not gold. And talking about banking, it is really thanks to him that public sector banks are in trouble with all those NPAs and outstanding loans…

Second Colleague: These things all started under the previous regime when defaulters were given a clean chit. I have that from the highest authority.

First Colleague: That is a debatable issue but the key thing is appraisal, which is what you base your judgment on. Has there been adequate scrutiny and has it been rigorous enough? Sometimes it is easy to build up an image of infallibility.

Second Colleague: The people who decide are the public. He is brilliant, a 100 carat as they say in the jewellery trade, and a very unique individual, a solitaire as they also say in the diamond trade. He is a one-man Peacock Throne

Second Colleague: You know, the world is known for falling for peacocks, those who project this false sense of security, sport designer wear, travel the globe and showcase shiny objects and objectives. We need to be more careful in our appraisals. It should be through a magnifying glass. It is easy to dazzle the world through the promise of new ideas, new designs, or new catchphrases like the 4 Cs. We cannot put all our money on the ideas of one individual.

First Colleague: You cannot deny that Modi is a jewel in India’s crown. He has put us on the world map. Look at that picture of him in Davos along with the rich and powerful. Doesn’t he look like he belongs there?

Second Colleague: Well, they say, a man is judged by the company he keeps. By that yardstick, it appears we may have got taken in by all the publicity and glowing media coverage which put him on a higher pedestal than he perhaps deserved.

First Colleague: Please let us give credit where credit is due…

Second Colleague: Credit is what we are talking about. That seems to be the issue that will bring him down. It’s payback time.

First Colleague: Well, we will have to wait for the next round of elections to see if the Modi magic is intact or not.

Second Colleague: Elections? What are you talking about? He is on the run, a hunted man, a fugitive from justice…

First Colleague: I think there’s some confusion. Which Modi are we talking about?

Second Colleague: Nirav Modi. I thought we were talking about the Modi who is the most wanted man in India.

First Colleague: We were.