Gopalkrishna Gandhi – A former ‘Textbook’ Guv: Also a Candid orator

If family legacy is anything to cheer about, Gopalkrishna Gandhi has the best. His paternal grandfather was Mahatma Gandhi and maternal grandfather was C. Rajagopalachari. 

Yet this suave and a former IAS officer and ex-diplomat is probably known best for his own distinct abilities and statesman like approach. Born on April 22, 1946, he joined IAS in 1968 and served in Tamil Nadu state till 1985. Thereafter, he remained Secretary to Vice-President of India (1985 - 1987) and Joint Secretary to President of India (1987 - 1992) under R Venkataraman -- who incidentally was also among the respected few to be easily called 'a text book President.

                                           

His tenure as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal was one of the much talked about time vis-a-vis the gubernatorial positions in the last decade.
But the usual charge of being partisan did not struck him. Gopal Gandhi remained above board.
Even his critics would not hesitate to call him a ‘text book Governor’. It is tribute to his acceptability in the non-BJP camp that despite certain differences between him and the then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya -led Left regime in West Bengal, the communists today unhesitatingly backed the united opposition move to make him the candidate for Vice President’s post. “We want someone as a candidate who can run the Rajya Sabha with dignity as well as protect constitutional norms,” said Marxit leader Sitaram Yechury.

Appointed as Governor in December 2004 by the UPA dispensation – which was banking on the Left support – Gandhi allegedly soon became a “preferred man” in the Raj Bhavan for Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. Often small differences between him and then Chief Minister Bhattarcharya made headlines – and also gave much needed political fodder to Mamata’s arsenal. Actually, Gandhi’s stint as the first citizen of West Bengal coincided with the gradual decline of the Left hold in the state polity. 

Later in a book ‘Phire Dekha (The Bygone years)’ Bhattacharya made veiled attack on Gandhi for opposing the then Left regime’s industrialisation programme. 
"Who did he (Gopalkrishna Gandhi) want to satisfy?" Bhattacharjee asked. 
"People in this state will remember Gopalkrishna Gandhi as long as the state bleeds for want of industry," wrote Bhattacharjee pouring out his feeling on Gandhi’s role during height of Singur and Nandigram controversies.                                 

"I was astonished with the Governor's public statement. He was aware of the fact that people and policemen were being killed there. The government sent police to restore law and order. Who did he want to satisfy?" the former Chief Minister wrote.

However, on a different plane, it ought to be said that Gopalkrishna Gandhi not only enjoyed good rapport with the fellow comrades of former Chief Minister Buddhadeb - Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury. He had also ventilated his admiration - for instance for Pakash Karat. 

"Listening to Prakash giving me a succinct account of the Marxist movements in Kerala for the re-distribution of land to help the landless and agricultural labour was more than an education; it was a revelation...,” – he had written in 2015.

Even the Left leaders have always maintained a tone of appreciation for Gandhi. Notwithstanding some functional differences for Buddhadeb, the communists knew that in effect Gandhi’s stint as the Governor in West Bengal - a known Left citadel for three decades - coincided with the period when the Indian electorate threw up a fractured mandate – a Congress-led UPA supported by the Left and at the same time in reference to Singur and Nandigram – Bengal politics was undergoing through turbulent days.

People in the fields were turning against long time benefactors the Left and CPI-M and a gradual shift was taking place towards Mamata Banerjee.

Challenging the leftist power base in India: The saffron surge

The BJP, with its hardcore pro-Hindu philosophy, is in a perpetual state of conflict with the Communist Party of India (Marxists) and Christian groups in Tripura. How the BJP performs in Tripura is a litmus test of how it can perform in other Indian states where it is not in power. Tripura has been ruled by a communist government since 199Os. The BJP party strategists know this well. Tripura is not like the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where pro-Hindu issues such as the banning of beef, cow vigilantism, were under the political spotlight. 

In Tripura, they need to tackle more pressing issues like unemployment, women empowerment, and industrialization.Voters in Tripura are essentially pro-left. Many possess an intellectual affinity to Marxism and the communists have wielded power long and often in the state.

"The BJP leaders need to break the umbilical cord between the voters and pro-Marxist intellectualism," a BJP official told me. 

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is clearly pursuing an ambitious and aggressive quest for power in the hilly, northeastern Indian state of Tripura that is bordered on three sides by Bangladesh. Despite growing acceptability for the pro-Hindu outfit in the state, which is home to substantial Christian and tribal populations, the party's expansion plans face multiple challenges ahead of the legislative assembly elections in 2018. Nearly 80 percent of the state's 3.7 million people are Bengali-speaking Hindus, mostly migrated from Bangladesh. Tribals, once a majority in what is Tripura, now comprise less than a third of the state's population. Most Christians are tribals.

In Tripura, where Marxist leader Manik Sarkar has held onto power for the last two decades, the BJP strategists understand that even upper-caste Hindus do not necessarily relate to the "Brahminical appeal" put forward by their party. More than 60 percent of the country's population now lives in states either ruled directly by the BJP or in an alliance with regional parties.Hence there has to be a change of strategy.

Bengali voters in Tripura will never entirely reject the "power of Marxism" as intellectual food for thought or as the foundations of their political reasoning. In the past, it would have been unthinkable for an opposition challenger to the incumbent Marxists or leftists to gain sufficient support in the region.

However, rural workers, such as Sapna Das, the BJP women leader in Tripura, said: "There is a gradual change and many young voters are readily rejecting the left's ideology."

Drawing confidence from this, BJP leaders have designed a few electoral strategies that aim to capture the minds of voters in areas heavily populated with Bengalis, particularly in areas where the pro-Hindu slant would find easier acceptance.Ashirwad Dey, an educationist in Tripura said: "The idea is to capture the Bengali mindset, especially among those whose forefathers had to leave Bangladesh during partition in 1947 and later in 1971 [during the Bangladesh war of liberation]."

Due to the extensive numbers that fled Bangladesh (formerly Eastern Pakistan), today's population of the Bengali Hindu community in Tripura is significant.The BJP is aware of its challenges and inherent weaknesses. 

BJP leaders claim the party is trying to sell Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "developmental card", even among tribal and Christian sections."The overdose of the Marxist regime in Tripura has weakened religious affinities. This applies to both Hindus and Christians. Today, this is, ironically, helping the BJP's cause," one BJP leader said. 

Jingoism has no place in today's world: Modi's Diplomatic Triumph talks of New Reality

The photograph of both the Prime Ministers -- Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu -- with folded trousers and chit-chat in ankle deep Mediterranean Sea water and a toast to life with desalinated water made waves in the social networking sites and mainstream media. "Netanyahu and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi brought a whole new definition to "chilling out" after wading in the Mediterranean Sea," reported CNN. 

One such snap was also autographed by Benjamin Netanyahu, who wrote: "To Prime Minister Narendra Modi with deepest friendship on your historic visit". 

                                 

Does this reflect change in Indian foreign policy? Certainly, opinions can be divided. But most striking aspect of this 'let us agree to disagree' came from Rahul Gandhi -- when he rather hurriedly tweeted that his political bete noire Modi was being a "weak Prime Minister" because he did not raise the visa row issue with the American President Donald Trump. Well, it was expected visa row would be raised. Similarly, on the other side -- many expected Trump will raise the issue of supposed violent atmosphere against minorities - including Christians - in India. So going by the 'intelligent theory' of an "inborn PM-material" even Trump could be weak!

One need not emphasise that diplomacy may not be the way - the Congress party or Rahul Gandhi's full-timer advisers look at. Both sides may handle uncomfortable issues though back channels.
The desperation is palpable. The Congress party, India's sickular gang and politically correct liberals as also the part-time politcian Rahul Gandhi may be huffing and puffing but these practitioners of holier than though theories desperate to make a mark is only realising that Namo remains invincible as now as the average Indian voters may be still pro-Namo and his way of politics.

The Congress party has been making noise about China angle too -- as the border tension could embarrass the Modi-led dispensation. 1962 harakiri is a thing of past because all that happened under the virtuous Pt Nehru -- who legitimised a variety of politics -- that says "family loyalists" need not be wrong at all.

                                               

Over the last three years Narendra Modi has pursued different brand of politics and that different yardstick has been extended to foreign policy paradigm also. The status-quoists may be upset while likes of Rahul Gandhi and 'uncles' like Manishankar Aiyar may find it difficult to stomach that an 'under estimated' has able to struck such good rapport with world leaders.

Firstly, in terms of India's relations with China -- the misplacement in the trust and well established norms of international diplomacy is actually only a Pt Nehru-era legacy. It would certainly require some time and extra sagacity to find a resolution. Moreover, China remains a globally-known difficult customer to deal with. The Modi-regime is trying different games to deal with different challenges. Whether these would give results or not - the answer lies in the womb of time. But Modi bashing class is getting desperate by the day.

But to trust players like former diplomats Lalit Mansingh and a few others -- so far Modi's message to China has been mixed. And rightly so ! With all efforts for friendship -- the 'jhoola' as analysed by Kapil Sibal -- Modi regime has also tried to keep Beijing guessing as time and again it has given renewed and added emphasis to the Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

"China respects strength. It does not worry much about good mannerism and humility,"

Blogger with Lalit Mansingh

                                                   
Stating that India has stoutly and rightly defended its stand during the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh has said that "China respects strength".
Interacting with me on the sidelines of a function wherein the Dalai Lama received the prestigious M L Sondhi Prize for International Politics for the year 2016, he has said: "Such gestures of assertiveness (on Dalai Lama's Arunachal visit) is a rare display of firmness and sovereign rights by the Indian government with regards to China. Otherwise, we are used to timidity and playing things safe".
The word 'timidity' actually represents the politics of the leftists -- whose patriotism reached a new set of norms in 1962. Is Rahul Gandhi listening?

Now, the Hamburg indications - from the sidelines of G20 Summit was that - Chinese president Xi Jinping also realises it well that 2017 is different from 1962. Perhaps more correct statement would be Pt Nehru and Narendra Modi are of different stocks. Image does not matter to Narendra Modi as much it bothered India's first Prime Minister. Hence, Modi's firmness seems to be working up to a satisfactory level. 

Moreover, China knows it well that Xinjiang is in the throes of a 'slow-burning insurgency' by the Muslim Uighur minority against the Communist state. China's internal problems are of deep concern, many many not realise. 

In the recent weeks -- starting from the US visit and then Israel sojourn and also the G20 Summit - Prime Minister's diplomatic adventurism has fetched some dividends. But these are still only early indications and still -- too less. But a sound foundation is being laid.

Israelis name a flower after 'Modi'

                                               
Even from unusual corner -- appreciation to Modi's Israel trip has come. A Naga politician - Thomas Ngullie has said that -- very few world leaders get the treatment outside his country as Modi was shown the respect in Israel. Does it imply that some Christian sections were also impressed with the kind of bonhomie Modi has able to establish with a Jewish nation?

Modi struck a good personal rapport with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and both shared quality time -- both formal and informal. "We have been waiting for you for last 70 years," Prime Minister Netanyahu has said on July 4 while welcoming Mr Modi -- as a jovial Indian Prime Minister walked into the arms of a beaming Netanyahu -- who making a departure from protocol was at the Tel Aviv Airport to receive him. During their interactions and formal bilateral talks, both the leaders vowed to take the Indo-Israel relationship to new heights. Bth sides signed seven MoUs including a crucial one on agriculture and water. 


On the other hand, Modi critics both in India and in Pakistan must realise that China's friendship may not always help Islamabad either.

Even the CPEC and OBOR may not help Pakistan big way.

"Pakistani citizens also have no way to know what CPEC will cost them. Neither government has been clear about what projects are part of the plan. Costing has been completely opaque. China sets the price, contracts the work out to Chinese companies, and saddles Pakistan with the loans. Given the ongoing security threats on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Islamabad is raising a CPEC Protection Force, the costs of which will be passed on to Pakistani citizens," says C Christine Fair in 'Foreign Policy'. 

(ends)

PM Modi wishes good luck to Prez Xi, China wishes "bigger success" to India

This can be also jokingly called ..... an apology from 'weak' Prime Minister Namo --- as Rahul Gandhi claimed coming out of 'Italian-nanny' slumber !!

Hamburg, Jul 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appreciated "momentum in BRICS" under the Chairmanship of China, and for his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping appreciated India's strong resolve against terrorism and lauded India's success in economic and social development.

"President Xi appreciated India's strong resolve against terrorism and the momentum in BRICS introduced under India's Chairmanship and through the outcomes of the Goa Summit in 2016. He also appreciated India's success in economic and social development and wished India even bigger success," an official statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.

The leaders of the five BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa held an "informal meeting" on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. 

"This was in run up to the forthcoming 9th BRICS Summit in September in Xiamen, China. President Xi of China said he looked forward to welcoming the BRICS leaders," the statement said. 

Pleasantries Amid Tenssions

.

Prime Minister Modi in his address mentioned that BRICS has been a "strong voice and needs to show leadership" on terrorism and global economy. 

Prime Minister appreciated "momentum in BRICS" under the Chairmanship of President Xi and extended full cooperation and best wishes for the BRICS Xiamen Summit.

Concluding the meeting immediately after Mr Modi's remarks, President Xi appreciated India's strong resolve against terrorism and also "wished India even bigger success" in economic field, the MEA said.

In his address, Mr Modi  "called for expeditious action to establish BRICS rating agency and stated that cooperation on development of Africa should be a priority". He also called for greater people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Modi stressed that G20 should collectively oppose terrorism financing, franchises, safe havens, support and sponsors. 

Referring to reforms in India, including the recent introduction of GST, the Prime Minister described it as "the biggest reform" in India during past seven decades. "This will create a unified market of 1.3 billion people," Mr Modi said.

The Prime Minister said it was necessary to work together for sustained global economic recovery. 

He advocated collective voice against the practices of protectionism, especially in the spheres of trade and movement of knowledge and professionals. 

He reiterated India's commitment to implement Paris Agreement in "letter and spirit" and described its implementation globally as essential to fight climate change. 

India-Israel and Palestine : THE 'UN-IMPORTANCE' OF BEING NARENDRA MODI

 Few decades and the world has changed...Indira Gandhi Yaser Arafat snap flashed all over...black and white ....those were 1970s...........Days of Non-Aligned Movement........
However, these ........ later slowly turned into an era of Muslim appeasement in Indian politics. Mass Muslims did not benefit much although.........Even in the Left ruled West Bengal .....they remained neglected and much below at the development graph.

Those were the days!

...on the contrary, Muslim appeasement only left the Hindus anguished. Anything associated with Hinduism - either could be joked - like Amitabh's encounter with Lord Shiva in 'Deewar'...or that would be called 'communalism'. Hence, Atal Behari Vajpayee was good but his party BJP bad....Remember the unholy alliance of 1996 and India was gifted with Harkishen Singh Surjeet-Prakash Karat inspired Deve Gowda!

Consequently, Hindus started hating Muslims...Politics of Ram Temple united Hindus. But some decades later -- we are in a different world.

Today it is right winger era...

Hence Narendra Modi of 2002 is actually not alone. Trump is a Donald the 'insurgent', Japanese leader too is angry man! Thus struck a wonderful rapport between PM Modi and Israel PM Banjamin Netanyahu.....the message is clear both overseas and in India's national politics.

Significantly given the Israel-Palestine relation and its influence in geo-strategic situations, previous regimes in India has somehow tried to keep a distance from Israeli establishment.

PM Modi and his party BJP have long admired Israel for its military and technical expertise.

A smiling Mr Netanyahu waited patiently at the airport as Prime Minister Modi - also in a much jovial mood - walked into his arms. Both the leaders gave each other tight hug and laughed heartily.
The Israeli Prime Minister also welcomed Mr Modi in Hindi: "aap ka swagat hae mere dost .....My friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcome to Israel".
Recalling his meeting at the United Nations three years back, Mr Netanyahu said Prime Minister Modi had then said about India and Israel relations that - "sky is the limit".
"But .... today, I say sky is not the limit...we have reached even greater heights," Netanyahu said referring to the significant cooperation being made by both the countries in space technology. 

The Israel Prime Minister said Jews in India are today like "wonderful bridge" between the two countries and lauded Prime Minister Modi's role in leading India into a new world order and said: "....You are a great leader of India and a great world leader".

A Delighted Modi walking into the arms of Netanyahu

SICKULARISM THINK OF A PILL AND SLEEP ! SLEEP WELL
your hatred has turned greatest boon for Narendra Modi.

If there was any doubt, PM Netanyahu hit the last nail - pretty hard !! where's sickular coffin man?
I can feel few intellectual faces --- in media briefings...the known dalals....etc etc


ISRAEL PM CALLED 'THE MOST HATED INDIAN NETA' --- from the sickular prism - a ....WORLD LEADER ....SICKULARISM THINK OF A PILL AND SLEEP ! SLEEP WELL

Now, a question ...Was it a Modi-bhakt speaking at Tel Aviv. Note the enthusiasm in Israel Prime Minister's words: "WE have been waiting for you for 70 long years".

Netanyahu broke the protocol, came to airport and said his country has great admiration for Indian history and culture.
"Your's is a historic visit...We love India, we admire your culture and history".

We know of Marxists, who take a cigar puff - ease out a few rings and 'intellectually' questions Modi's intelligence. But 'Pappu' would still remain a leader of their hope....
Is the world listening....?
Marxism is in vanishing act mood...the world over! 

Therefore, the Big Picture message : India has found a place under the sky under Namo. The Opposition, Indian sickular gang and Leftists must face the truth.

Only the other day, Trump called Modi a 'great Prime Minister'. Now Netanyahu.

Sickular army in India is meanwhile praying for China...Let Beijing teach the chai wala a lessssssonnnn............ Mani Shanker Aiyar, a virtual dynasty retainer, tried with Pakistan for a game!

Or to be caustic...they want that to happen! In 1962. Leftists turned patriots of different order ..........shhhh ! One ought to whisper?

The not so busy Blogger

In international politics, meanwhile, Japan, the United States and India would have another member Israel....things are shaping up?

This new transformation ought to happen that there is a realization that this globe is headed towards a multi-polar world. Hence the countries - giant or influential need to have trusted friends. India gets an opportunity to be among close friends with countries like the United States. 

In aligning with the Americans and other global powers, basically Modi has addressed three barriers – personal, ideological and institutional. There was a hesitation about engaging with Modi. 2002 was partly responsible. The US was disinclined also because they preferred India merely as an ally not an autonomous partner. Moreover, now with most countries - the ties up are not loose or informal. Now all sides are clear about institutional engagements.

This is true to India and the United States and also India and Israel. On the hind side, credit ought to be given to Team Modi - that includes Modi himself and also the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. But we must here also talk about the significant role played by the then PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and his man-for-all-seasons Jaswant Singh.

Well, moving over these, one must take note of Jaswant’s  point blank statement made to the US negotiator, Strobe Talbott. 

“You are playing yesterday’s chess match….The game now is for energy from a region that is falling increasingly into the hands of the forces of radical Islam….No one has had a much experience with Islam as India. You must work with us (India) more in waging our common struggle against these forces”.  (Engaging India - Strobe Talbott)

Finally, things really changed in Indo-US context since these dialogues. And as they - the rest is history. Modi certainly benefited by Jaswant Singh's spadework. Today, India is held high as a partner in the comity of nations. 

ends

Cursing Modi is no panacea: Sonia’s men should focus on work

June 30-July 1 mid-night was another evidence of the pattern in which Narendra Modi functions. There is a touch of a master politician and of course – a confident ruler – in of course a typical style making optimum use of democratic platforms and phraseology. But authoritarian rule is nothing new in India or in this world.

Indira Gandhi’s example is phenomenal and all of these were in more ways than one. The new generation Congress leaders try to bask in the light of the past. The inertia is pathetic and on July 1 itself – the media management vis-a-vis ‘National Herald’ show was a living testimony. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi – someone should have lost job. If this laxity is given the camouflage of democracy, there is something wrong in the Congress party.Even more than an hour after Sonia Gandhi’s and Pranab Mukherjee’s speech – INC India Twitter handle did not much to share. Some agency reporters waiting impatiently were only disappointed. Prior to that even formal invitations did not reach agency offices. One scribe rightly remarked, -- that Congress leadership has rightly realized that “unki ab chhapti nahi”. 

The chamcha-ism of most inefficient jokers – both among dynasty loyal politicians and Lutyen’s journos – cannot take the party further ahead. High time – sleeves are pulled – but not the pappu style in 2012 UP elections. 

On Modi’s ‘authoritarian style’ etc etc, the Congress and the ‘communalists’ BJP – there are some elements which are interlinked. And when we talk about these – self styled champions of morality of all forms Leftists are not to be ignored either.

Take the clock back – just a few decades – “Leftist intellectuals” in 1970s – in the words of a known pro-Left Delhi’s intellectual Kuldip Nayar: “had a great fascination for Indira Gandhi’s authoritarianism”. (Ref. Pg 247 Kuldip Nayar’s autobiography – ‘Beyond the Lines’). 

In the same book and on the same page – Nayar further wrote: “I also heard that her ‘leftist lurch’ had forced the rightist JP to launch a movement”.

In fact, it goes without saying that many old timers believe that the rise of BJP or the Hindutva politics of the RSS – as being felt in every corner of India – has lot to do with the Sangh elements joining the famous JP movement of 1970s.

This association of Jai Prakash Narain and the Sangh elements was certainly called the “greatest mistake” of JP. “An emotional man as he was, he was led by his heart,” writes Kuldip Nayar many years later. It is true the Jana Sangh wanted credibility by associating themselves with a secular movement in order to obliterate the stigma of Hindu communalism.

Democracy, Dynasty and Emergency

It is ironical that the agenda of anti-corruption has thus always suited the Hindutva forces as it did later during Bofors controversy and as late as 2011 and 2012 – when the Anna movement virtually paralysed the Manmohan Singh regime. 

All these lead to debate about the fallacy in the politics of the comrades also. The nation is still to get know whether they will apologise any day about imposing someone called H D Deve Gowda as the Prime Minister of India. To top the historical blunder of 1996 – Harkishen Singh Surjeet also ensured that someone called Ramowalia from rural Punjab could become Union Minister under the moral patronage of the Leftists. 

If the majoritarinism of Narendra Modi is hitting them from all quarters – will they ever rethink on the kind of ‘provocation’ the majority of Modi voters and Bhakts have gone through in last 70 years. Hence the reverse polarisation is an order of the polity today. This only ensures Narendra Modi a longer stint than the intellectuals and virtuous communists, the pro-sickular 'shop keepers' among media stars and of course Congress party would wish him.

Meanwhile, whats going in the media world? Journalists are either right or anti-Modi?

The owners are ready to strike deals with the establishment wherever they can. And when they can't, some of them come to the Press Club of India playing not only victim card - but also

holier than thou!

Why so much of crawling when government agencies expect just bowing down? One analysis is - in the changed atmosphere - media barons suddenly realise that Lala-giri is certainly not the best of business mantras. They realise that books have not been kept clean. 'Ho jae ga ji' and 'Sab chalta hae' approaches of Delhi's business varieties may not settle disputes as long as an arrogant man called Narendra Modi is in power.

Even 'power politics'players Arun Jaitley and M Venkaiah Naidu are perhaps unable to make things move in a pragmatic manner -- as would have been easily possible under NDA-I when Atal Behari Vajpayee was modestly trying to emerge as a saffron-Nehru.

In Modi Govt's tryst with midnight, India enters into ‘One nation-One tax’ regime

Prime Minister appealed to the people not to believe in rumours and misinformation about the GST and urged the doubting Thomases to see the reality.
 
"Yeh kisi ek dal ka siddhi nahi hae (This achievement is not of one party or one government)," Prime Minister said at a glittering function at the Central Hall of Parliament - which was graced by former foot soldiers of the long GST journey like Yashwant Sinha, Vijay Kelkar and Dr Asim Dasgupta and also the likes of business tycoons Ratan Tata and N Subhash Chandra.
"Yeh hum sabh ki sanjhi virasat hae (This is joint effort of all of us)," he said and also maintained that the GST will play a game changer in helping the poor and downtrodden too.
"Today at midnight we all will determine the road ahead for the country," he said.
Prime Minister said the GST would eliminate about 500 taxes, and will benefit the poor. He also appealed to the traders to pass on the benefit of the GST to the poor.

 New Delhi, Jun 30 
In tryst with midnight in the 21st century, Prime Minister tonight floated a new definition for GST - calling it Good and Simple Tax - and sought to dismiss the attack from Congress and other opposition parties for bringing in an "half-baked" new tax regime.
Mr Modi said there may be initial teething troubles as the transition to GST would have its problems. In this context, he gave the example of how new spectacles with updated power is initially uncomfortable.
"In reality GST is - Good and Simple Tax - as it's one tax for one country and good for the development of the country," PM Modi said.

"Yeh kisi ek dal ka siddhi nahi hae (This achievement is not of one party or one government)," Prime Minister said at a glittering function at the Central Hall of Parliament - which was graced by former foot soldiers of the long GST journey like Yashwant Sinha, Vijay Kelkar and Dr Asim Dasgupta and also the likes of business tycoons Ratan Tata and N Subhash Chandra.
"Yeh hum sabh ki sanjhi virasat hae (This is joint effort of all of us)," he said and also maintained that the GST will play a game changer in helping the poor and downtrodden too.
"Today at midnight we all will determine the road ahead for the country," he said.
Prime Minister said the GST would eliminate about 500 taxes, and will benefit the poor. He also appealed to the traders to pass on the benefit of the GST to the poor.
       He also appealed to the people not to believe in rumours and misinformation about the GST and urged the doubting Thomases to see the reality.

Ending as many as 14 long years of debate and frequent skirmishes along side allegations of derailing it, the "historic" and "breath-taking" Goods and Services Tax, biggest tax reform in India, was rolled out tonight in a grand ceremony at the Central Hall of Parliament.
While both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called the proposal to enforce 'one nation-one tax' norm as "historic", President Pranab Mukherjee said the "scope of the change is truly breath-taking".
The biggest ever tax reform GST is also expected to reduce the burden on the common man and will integrate India into a common market, bigger than the European Union. By doing away with the plethora of taxes, the GST is expected to accelerate economic growth even as opposition parties have accused government of bringing in an 'half-baked' system in hurry.

President Pranab Mukherjee  said the scope of change in the GST is "breath-taking" even as some of the changes in it are "disruptive".
Addressing the gathering at the Central Hall of Parliament, Mr Mukherjee said, "Even for a person like me who has been intimately involved in matters of taxation and finance, the scope of the change we are undertaking is truly breath-taking".
He said while the GST will work as a major boost to "economic efficiency", as a measure GST is also a "disruptive change". "It is similar to the introduction of VAT when there was initial resistance".

Veteran Advani was present

First proposed in 2003 when a Task Force headed by Vijay Kelkar had recommended for GST, the grand proposal has, however, undergone a long journey wherein the ruling BJP was in the past accused of derailing and delaying it. Even hours before GST was rolled out, the Opposition Congress and Left parties and regional outfits like RJD and Trinamool Congress announced boycott of the glittering GST function in the historic Central Hall.

In fact, without naming anyone, President Mukherjee said as Finance Minister he had interacted with Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra a number of times.
Before 2014 - it goes without saying - none other than PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.The business tycoons Ratan Tata and N Subhash Chandra and former compatriots like Dr Asim Dasgupta, ex West Bengal Finance Minister, and former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha were among others who attended the glittering function. The occasion was also graced by the likes of Vijay Kelkar, former chairman of the Task Force which recommended first for bringing GST and the union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia.
The presence of Dr Dasgupta was significant as his party CPI-M had announced about their boycott from tonight's proceedings in the Central Hall.
Dr Dasgupta was chairman of the first Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers and his role in the 14 year long journey was appreciated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his welcome speech.

The new tax regime was rolled by President Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi in reminiscent of the historic midnight 'tryst with destiny' in 1947.
"From Ganganagar to Itanagar and Leh to Lakshadweep, it is one nation, one tax," a jovial looking Prime Minister said adding the new norms will do away with 500 other kinds of taxes practiced hitherto in the country.
The GST, he said, will help curb corruption and black money and also bring in qualitative improvement in governance.
Prime Minister remained focused about poorer section and said the new system would ultimately help this section.
Notably for the government, NCP, JD-U, TRS , JD-S broke ranks with opposition parties to attend the mid-night ceremony. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also gave the occasion a miss.
The government has defended the decision of going ahead with the complex four broad tax categories of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent.
In many quarters, apprehensions have been expressed mainly because some sectors were still trying to cope with the demonetization decision announced by Prime Minister Modi on November 8 last year.Mr Jaitley also said as Finance Minister in the erstwhile UPA regime - President Pranab Mukherjee himself has been a "gawah (witness)" to the entire journey.
The Finance Minister said, ensuring GST implementation would be a testimony to the fact that "India can rise above narrow party differences".
The solemn occasion was also graced by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda - even as Dr Manmohan Singh was a big miss.
The Congress and opposition parties like Trinamool Congress, Lalu Prasad-led RJD and Left parties stayed away from today's proceedings.
Among others, Sharad Pawar of NCP came along side his party colleagues Majeed Memon, Praful Patel and Tariq Anwar.
Among the BJP MPs, Mathura representative Hema Malini - clad in a shining blue Sari - was also present.
BJP chief Amit Shah and party patriarch L K Advani were also present.
Yashwant Sinha, who is not having a sound relation with BJP leadership for sometime, was embraced more than once by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. Sinha's son and MoS Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha was also present. One BJP MP was found indicating Jayant Sinha about the presence of his father in the audience.

Samajwadi MP Ram Gopal develops 'uneasiness', comes back to join GST function
New Delhi, Jun 30 (UNI) Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav today fell sick at the Central Hall of Parliament and was soon taken out by the ruling side members and his party colleagues.
Sitting in one of the front benches, Mr Yadav complained of dizziness and was soon assisted among others by Minister of State for Skill Development Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Mr Yadav was taken out for a while as his party colleagues and son Akshay Yadav, also MP, also accompanied him. Later party sources said, he was feeling "uneasy". But Mr Yadav soon came back and joined the proceedings when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech was on.