8

Jan

Looking at  Modi’s Many Contradictions

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A close-up of a person with glasses Description automatically generatedOn January 3, 2025, as I sipped my morning tea, a front-page headline in The Times of India grabbed my attention: “Indian Diamond Priciest Gift to Jill Biden in 2023.” Intrigued, I read the details. According to the U.S. State Department’s annual report on gifts received by U.S. officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a diamond worth $20,000 (over ₹17 lakh) to U.S. First Lady Jill Biden during his state visit to the White House.

In addition, President Joe Biden received a carved sandalwood box, a statue, an oil lamp, and a book titled The Ten Principal Upanishads, collectively valued at $6,232. Altogether, New Delhi gifted items worth $35,000 to U.S. officials in 2023. While this amount might seem insignificant in a global context, it raises questions in a country grappling with widespread poverty and an increasing wealth gap.

Reading the article aloud caught the attention of my wife, and we began discussing the issue in Hindi. Even our maid, overhearing us, expressed disapproval, highlighting the irony of gifting such expensive items while millions in India struggle with soaring prices and poverty.

Given the source of the news—the U.S. State Department, whose credibility is generally unquestioned—I felt the matter deserved serious debate. Predictably, the Government of India’s extensive publicity machinery moved swiftly to defend the Prime Minister’s choice of gift. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the diamond was laboratory-produced and not a natural one, claiming its actual cost was significantly lower. Despite these efforts, it was evident that diplomats were scrambling to protect the image of their political leader.

 

Column at a Glance
On January 3, 2025, a headline in The Times of India revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a $20,000 diamond to U.S. First Lady Jill Biden during a state visit, alongside other gifts to President Biden valued at $6,232. This total of $35,000 in gifts sparked debate, especially in a country facing significant poverty and a widening wealth gap.
Wednesday Wisdom
By Satish Misra
The incident drew criticism from various quarters, including the author's wife and their maid, who highlighted the irony of such lavish gifts amid widespread economic struggles. The Indian government defended the diamond as laboratory-produced, attempting to mitigate backlash. The article contrasts Modi's grandiose leadership style with that of his predecessor, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who focused on economic stability and humility. It raises important questions about the appropriateness of a Prime Minister's opulence in light of the harsh realities faced by millions of Indians living in poverty.

 

This incident invites reflection on the persona of Prime Minister Modi, especially in comparison to his predecessor, Dr. Manmohan Singh. As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Dr. Singh was known for his erudition, administrative acumen, and humility. He rarely indulged in self-praise, focusing instead on laying the groundwork for a modern economy. His tenure followed a legacy of institution-building that began with Jawaharlal Nehru and continued through successive governments.

In contrast, Modi’s leadership style is more grandiose. Promising a "golden era," he pledged to transform India with bullet trains, smart cities, and 20 million jobs annually. Yet, after 11 years in office, the economy has slowed, unemployment has reached record highs, and many promises remain unfulfilled. Instead, resources have been diverted to projects like the controversial new Parliament building, criticized for its structural flaws and extravagant cost.

Modi’s penchant for luxury—flying in a plane akin to Air Force One, wearing expensive attire, and using high-end accessories—stands in stark contrast to the realities of millions of Indians living in extreme poverty. According to a World Bank report from October 2024, 129 million Indians earn less than $2.15 per day.

This juxtaposition between a leader’s opulent lifestyle and a nation’s economic struggles raises critical questions. Should a Prime Minister of a country facing such challenges adopt a more modest approach? I leave this question open to the wisdom of readers.

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