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ShareGujarat chief minister Narendra Modi spoke to DNA on a wide range of issues, including the global recession, his leadership mantras, Gujarat's place in India's growth, and the future of sectarian politics. While admitting that he may have made mistakes in the past, Modi said he never does anything with mala fide intent. Excerpts:
On the current global recession and how it will affect India.
India has a big opportunity which was never there earlier. China is basically an export-oriented economy. The recession's biggest impact is on export-oriented economies, not on us. So China stands to lose, we don't. We can take advantage of it.
The industrial revolution took place when we were slaves. In the 20th century, America acted smart and created global institutions like the UN, WHO, and so on. Most of them are located in Washington or New York. The US monopolised all issues, including human rights, and tried to become a superpower.
In a recession, no one wants to close down one's business. What they want is low-cost manufacturing so that they can stay globally competitive. India is capable of becoming a low-cost manufacturing facility. But for that one requires high efficiency. That is why I gave a slogan: RACE. Which stands for (low) risk, (high) alertness, (low) cost, (high) efficiency.
If we achieve this, I believe we can attract the world towards us. It will be quite an opportunity.
On why some businessmen see him as a future leader of India.
I don't get into such issues. I realised I am the CM only after becoming chief minister. And even after all these years, I don't feel that I am the CM. I am a 'mazdoor aadmi.' I work for Gujarat and I don't think beyond this. I don't get into any debates on this and I have nothing to do with it.
On his leadership mantra.
In a democratic system, teamwork is of the essence. The real quality of leadership is the team and team spirit. My success lies in my team and team spirit. My temperament is that I am basically a 'mazdoor maanas'. This is the reality, so I never escape from any challenges, I don't run away from them. It's not an option. And god shows me the way from that situation.
On how he plans to build up his national profile.
If that is not my goal, why should I waste my energy? Why should I waste my time? Why should one try to see how one can gain acceptance for oneself?
Dekhiye bhai, jab kahin phool khilta hai, to phool ko yeh koshish nahin karni chahiye ke (puchhey) meri khushboo kiske naak me jaati hai? Agar aapko sardi hui hai to nahin jaayegi. Agar aapka naak theek hai, to jaayegi. Why should I waste my time? Main kyon dawaai leke ghoomta phiroon duniya mein ke uska naak theek karo, kyonki meri sugandh nahin jaa rahi hai?
[If a flower blooms, it should not ask whose nose is receiving my fragrance? If you have a cold, you won't get the fragrance. If your nose is fine, you will get the smell. Why should I go around offering medicine to fix your nose because you are not getting the fragrance?]
I am committed to what I am doing; this is the only thing. It is my commitment that I have to do something for my state, that's it.
On his vision for the economic development of Gujarat.
Economic development should be divided into three parts. One-third should be industrial development, another third should be agricultural development, and the remaining third should be the services sector. A balance should be maintained. If it doesn't happen, whenever there is a global problem, the entire state will suffer. This balance can allow us to shift to something else for survival and to scrape through the worst period. We are making an attempt to develop a model of this sort in Gujarat.
Till now Gujarat was proud of its golden corridor. The Ankleshwar-Vapi belt was deemed Gujarat. I don't agree. There should be equal development in all directions geographically.
We have ensured this. All the roads in Gujarat were running in a north-south direction, connecting Jaipur and Mumbai. For the first time I took a decision to make nine horizontal roads. This decision was made in 2004 and we invested Rs33,000 crore. All the logistics support centres are coming up on these crossroads.
The biggest benefit is that Gujarat's development, which was till now around the highways alone, will now connect east to west, which were economically not so well developed. Tribals in the east and fishermen in the west will get an opportunity and wealth will percolate there.
Kennedy made a famous statement, 'money doesn't bring roads; roads bring money.' These roads have become a vehicle of development. For the first time in India, the state government is being paid for making the highway in a tribal stretch by the contractor! We are getting Rs1,700 crore for a road that they will make. This means people know how vibrant this road is! This road will pass through Shamlaji in the tribal belt. So the prosperity you see on the SG (Sarkhej-Gandhinagar) highway of Ahmedabad will be seen in the entire tribal area, Umbergaon to Ambaji. This is our development model.
On urban versus rural development.
We are developing a Gujarat within Gujarat. This will include GIFT city (the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), Nano city, Knowledge City, and many more such cities which will come up. These cities will have the most modern infrastructure.
