Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the USA on January 20, 2017, much to the discomfiture of millions in the world, especially the intelligentsia, who had dismissed him as a vulgarian, a showman with big flash and no substance.
But truth is stranger than fiction.
Well, one has to give in to Trump for the kind of strategy he adopted to win over, what he calls, “the forgotten” millions of American voters. Trump did what no American politician had attempted in ages – unabashedly and unregretfully dividing the united country with his dangerous and divisive rhetoric during the election campaign. With no ideal talk and no politically correct statements, he made his way into the White House. He flourished on his hard-line views on Muslims, immigrants and climate change, to name a few. The billionaire, surprisingly, convinced the proletariat that he represents the workers of the United States of America and that he was the best person to bring change in the now “Disunited States of America”.
Few know that Trump thrived on his trump card – criticism. The more he was criticised, the more strength he gained. What the intellectuals failed to understand was that their utter disregard gave him strength. The property tycoon fed off the contempt and used it to grab headlines, to connect to common people. He uncovered an opportunity others didn’t believe existed.
Whether one likes it or not, the Trump era has begun and today he is the President of the world.
Too much negative has been written about his unprecedented election, but, hitherto, he has proved everyone wrong. For the critics it would be prudent not to judge him and jump to conclusions what his Presidency would be like, as he has just taken charge of the Oval Office. Taking a cue from Narendra Modi’s election in 2014 in India, a wait and see approach would do the critics a power of good.
Modi too had been at the receiving end during his election campaign. A similarly hostile media and so-called intellectuals came down heavily on him, especially for the image that he was a divisive figure like Trump and the perception that he had looked the other way when Gujarat was burning during the 2002 riots. Even though Modi was given a clean chit on Gujarat riots by the court, the media did not spare him till the very end. What also went against him was he too was an outsider like Trump. Till 2014 General Elections, Modi was confined to politics in Gujarat only. Trump has not held a political office in his life till last Friday. The media and the intelligentsia were not ready for such an outsider. But against all the odds, Modi triumphed and is doing a fantastic job as Prime Minister for India today. One can’t deny that Trump is loved by a large section of America – the 2016 November 8 US elections prove it. Same goes with Modi. Majority of people in India love him, though media may not approve of it. Another common feature between the two is both are nationalists. Modi wants to take India to the top, while the protectionist Trump wants to make America great again.
Well, after a long hiatus the US and India have been enjoying good relations. They have been coming closer ever since the first BJP-led NDA government (1999-2004) came to power under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Before the Cold War the relationship was characterised by suspicion and distrust. The ties scaled new heights during the Manmohan Singh-George Bush era, with the signing of the India-US nuclear deal. Under the congenial Barack Obama, they got even more closer.
As it is 'Trump ki Sarkar' in the US today, let's hope the new White House incumbent brings in 'Acche din' (good days) for India and the world at large.
