A ditty for two Modi years

Just when you may have started believing in the old adage that there is nothing new under the Sun along comes a theme song from the Prime Minister, not by him but for him and the country. Only the hardened cynic could scowl at such a venture in the form of a feel-good song created to commemorate the government’s completion of two years in office and its popular schemes. Mera Desh Badal Raha, Agey Badh Raha Hai is more a ditty that presages the welter of propaganda to come in the next fortnight showcasing the NDA government’s two years. It may not set the charts on fire although it has a healthy lakh listeners on Soundcloud, but its beat and rhythm are modern enough to please the critical ear.

You could pick a bone that, as with much of Mr Modi’s public speeches in Hindi, the song may not resonate in a region or two in India’s vast geography. His spin doctors might pick up a hint there on including all of India by spelling out the lyrics in more languages. As a past master at the art of projecting his leadership, Mr Modi has few equals and the song, promoted by a PM, is a first. It may, however, carry no hint of Mr Modi’s personal taste in music. Even then, there is no reason to believe the PM is not above being reduced to tears when he listens to great musicians, like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was said to have been when listening to Lata Mangeshkar and M.S. Subbulakshmi sing live.