With thumping victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and dramatic coups in Goa and Manipur, Modi is set to embark on big-bang missions with all guns blazing.
Even before Narendra Modi started campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, he knew his government could under-go a big change after the elections. Cabinet heavyweight Nitin Gadkari, who was in charge of the BJP strategy in Goa, had told the prime minister that only defence minister Manohar Parrikar could salvage the party's chances in the tiny coastal state, which has a special place in Modi's political journey to Delhi—the BJP conclave held here in September 2013 had confirmed his coronation as the party's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections.
Parrikar shifting to Goa to lead a coalition government has left the national security apparatus and the Cabinet Committee on Security a bit shaken. But, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the cricket aficionado, has returned as the able night-watchman at the helm of the defence ministry.
While Parrikar had been bolder and more energetic than his predecessor A.K. Antony, reforms of the armed forces had not got the necessary impetus to fulfil Modi's vision of a highly mobile and intimidatory military. The big question is: Now what?
Denne historien er fra March 26, 2017-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Denne historien er fra March 26, 2017-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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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
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock