Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh,

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh,

You along with your UPA colleagues have made people laugh at the predictions of experts such as Swaminathan Aiyar, N.Ram, Cho Ramaswamy and the 'never-accurate' exit polls. It's clear that people have voted for your capability, integrity (though both questionable at lower levels) and stability. Yes, you had the lady luck on your side. Nevertheless a "thumbs-up" victory and my hearty congratulations for the same. Here is a set of requests from yet-another Hindustani:

The Basics:

• Right people for your ministries: Getting this right is more than half job done. Remember what happened to the National security with Ex-Home Min Mr.SP. Please don't compromise on the quality of the ministers based on pressure from allies or oldies playing the "loyalty" card. Please give priority to Clean and Capable people. I really liked the idea suggested by Director Shankar in movie Mudhalvan (Nayak in Hindi) to have 2 ministers for every department - an enthusiastic youth accompanied by a wise experienced. Please look at its feasibility. This election saw a never-before emphasis on youth both from electing and elected.
• Play long term: Hopefully you don't have the headache of constant black-mail from your allies. So, please don't resort to populist initiatives. Rather go with what's good for the country in long term. You have good full 5 years to play full on.
• The crucial 100-day plan: By "play long term", I didn't mean relax and let things happen at its own pace. Be it a new born baby or a beleaguered economy or a bankrupt organization,  the first 100 days are crucial and set the stage for the future progress. I request you and your colleagues to not get complacent over the victory and ignore these initial days.

The "3-E"s:

1. Education: Things have changed quite a bit since the years of Lord Macaulay. Though our overall literacy rates are still low, we have moved from the stages of simple "increase literacy rate". India needs to have its focus shifted towards "Quality Education". A complete reformation, transformation and a transmutation at a war-like speed is required. Please don't just rely on panels which does an exhaustive analysis and stops there. A collaborative result oriented action required. Think of Public-private partnership. Encourage better coordination between central and state governments. Develop new programs for personalities and corporate to adopt schools.
2. Economic Development: Whatever bad is said and written about Mr. Modi, he should be acknowledged for bringing Gujarat its vibrancy (or at least the image which would help in economic development). If Modi can do it to Gujarat, why can't Mr. Manmohan do it to the entire nation. Yes, simple things like making the nation attractive for foreign investment and working closely with industry players. It might read a bit Management-ish, but please try to draw a road-map for the next 5-10 years for India - What are the core industries that we need to focus on and how can India be more competitive in the increasing globalized economy.
3. Empowerment: A progressive empowerment (unlike your UP allies) especially for Rural, Women and Youth. I know you would attribute this election win to the aam-aadmi policies. I agree with you. Please revive some of the popular large-scale, high potential initiatives, which were largely ineffective due to poor execution. Need for the country are the initiatives on Youth Empowerment, Vocational skills development, Support to Microfinance / Self-Help Group /Small enterprises & entrepreneurs. Please get a passionate and capable person like Rahul for this department. We need to get this done at any cost.

I know that all these are easier said than done. But freedom from non-progressive parties should definitely make it easier than your last term.

I also know you know all these. Still.. we Indians become very expressive when it comes to having expectations from politicians.  Yes, our expectations are running high. Hope you fulfill them. We would soon know whether our Singh is the Real King!