For more than four years, the Narendra Modi government has had a monopoly on political messaging and perception management.
The Rafale controversy, triggered this time by former French president Francois Hollande’s comments that the French government had no say in selecting Reliance Defence as Rafale manufacturer Dassault’s offset partner, seems to have brought an end to it. The Congress has stepped up its attack against the government, accusing it of everything from corruption to crony capitalism. Leading the government’s fightback is Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said the Congress was trying to scuttle the deal to buy 36 Rafale jets from France. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, she said Congress president Rahul Gandhi was spreading canards in Hollande’s name. Edited excerpts:
How has your last one year been?
I am not sure I have even introspected on it. It was an opportunity I could not have dreamt of. [I am] extremely grateful to the party, and to the prime minister in particular, because this is not something which anyone can ask for. It was given and you have to live up to it. Till today they have extended every support. I have tried giving my best to it. Even the first word of advice which the prime minister gave me after the swearing in—after he came back from China—was: “You are not going to be the defence minister of South Block; you have to meet the jawans posted in different corners of the country. Not just to keep their morale high, but also to understand the conditions they live in. I took that seriously.
So you have been travelling?
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
