As a competitive, national-level policy debater, I used to thrive during debates by defeating opponents with an item known as ‘fiat.’ Latin for ‘let it be done,’ a fiat is a notional paradigm from the word ‘should’ in the resolution. In other words, a fiat allows the resolution which then allows the affirmative team to argue the substance of the idea as if it could be immediately enacted. Let’s consider the resolution ‘Millennials should vote for Narendra Modi.’ Here is why fiat would exist.
Ever since Independence, India has much required an ideological movement; one that is powerful enough to hit every single citizen and encourage them to change internally. Citizens are required to free ‘themselves from themselves.’ Since Independence, each Indian carried conceptual oppression internally – where they deemed themselves not good enough, insufficient, and/or second class to the rest of the world. And it showed externally. What was the outcome of this internalization of inferiority? The people of India allowed for further fragmentation of our society on the basis of not just religion, caste, language, and community, but also on the basis of education, gender, and social status. The impact of this in a democracy? It led to a completely divided society on multiple areas.; in politics, the creation of items like vote bank politics, inequality and corruption exponentially increased.
However, during this Lok Sabha Election, there has been a massive and powerful change in the ideology of millennials, especially those who are actively working to build a new India. The government is largely responsible for this push. A strong surge of nationalism now exists, and this is a by-product of modernization of initiatives like ‘Make in India,’ ‘Digital India,’ and Jan Dhan account implementation. The new order of nationalists are ready to accept anything that makes India stronger; technologically, physically, mentally, ideologically. And if they can’t find it, millennial nationalists, in particular, are inventing it themselves with the encouragement of the government (through schemes like MUDRA loans).
Through these actions, millennials are breaking down a fragmented society that harmfully divides us by caste, creed, religion, ethnicity, language, community, etc. I believe, today, millennials from lower-middle-class strata do not see themselves inferior to their elite counterparts. Nor do millennials from elite backgrounds see themselves as being intrinsically ‘better’ than their counterparts with fewer resources. Ten years ago, this was not the case. In my school, for example, I was aware of who the ‘kids from good families’ were, and those were (children whom everyone wanted to befriend) the kids to try to be friends with. Such constructs created divides and negative thinking.
What does NaMo have to do with this? Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the link bridging a fragmented society into a unified one. NaMo nationalism is the reason why a new India is stemming out of his leadership. It aims at unity, not division. It means action and accountability. NaMo nationalism’s aim is for pride and progress. It eradicates self-doubt. Modi’s dogged focus on a corruption-free and efficient government has vastly improved international confidence and perception of India. Robust economic growth driven by NDA initiatives gives India muscle and attracts significant FDI. The naïve behaviour of Modi’s opponents only shows their lack of vision and concern for India.
As a millennial, I am tired of weak, vacillating leadership. In May 2018, I had just attained a shiny Harvard degree and bagged multiple fancy job offers in the United States. I considered those job offers: What change would I be making to the world? What would my identity be? What legacy would I leave? From my tiny, third floor Harvard dorm room in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I could feel the trebles of the positive, vibrant and powerful undercurrent of change that India is experiencing. It was exciting. It made my heart beat faster. It was exhilarating. And it made me turn down all those job offers and get on a one-way flight.
Weak leadership can never support the wave of positive energy we bring to the nation. India is experiencing positive momentum and NaMo nationalism is driving it. Modi has and will lead from the front line as our Chowkidar. The NDA does not play favourites in particular sections of society. Leaders today are not just accountable to their higher-ups but also, and more-so, accountable to the people whom they serve. Modi has also spoken out publicly against hyper-nationalists with regressive agendas. What is the result? The impact?
Remember stand-up comedian Russell Peters’ debut a few years ago? The world was rolling on the floor laughing (ROFL) at the Indian; from the accent to the identity. A girl in Chicago came up to me, imitated an Indian accent and asked me, “Don’t all Indians talk like this?” That same girl recently congratulated me for graduating Harvard on Facebook. You can cross apply my small example to the international stage.
Like that girl, the world has been watching. Today, nobody dares mock, laugh nor ridicule an Indian millennial. Those who make fun of the Indian find themselves backfoot and outclassed. A self-doubting, fearful young Indian is gone. The millennial of New India is nothing but strong and unstoppable. Narendra Modi stands right next to us. The NDA’s support and encouragement of our goals make us proud and confident to keep forging ahead. Not just on the Indian stage. We are ready to take on the world. Bring it on!