MODI MANTRA BE THE STRING THAT BINDS TOGETHER THE DIFFERENT PEARLS OF IDEAS

DEFINING BAITHAK: Come in with diverse viewpoints and move out with a singular stance

The narrator brings out the remarkable vision of Modiji when it comes to conducting meetings. He says that the party is bound to succeed if every karyakarta, every booth, every baithak and the minutest detail is taken with utmost seriousness. Municipal Corporation elections were going on in Shimla and Bimla Kashyapji was contesting from Ward No 13 which is now Ward No. 17. Bimlaji had been a Rajya Sabha member as well and her commitment towards the ward was exceptional. It was night time and we were pasting posters in our constituency for the impending elections. In this digital age, you know, we don’t put up posters any more. But back then we got free by 1:30 at night and returned home. Next day we convened a baithak to discuss what all had been accomplished and what tasks remained to be completed. Bimlaji already knew that we had been very busy all these days. In fact she was watching us work at 1:30 in the night from her window. Such was the energy and commitment of Bimla Kashyapji towards her ward and booth workers! Her days had no beginning nor end. Waking up at 4:00 am and working till 2 in the night, but her energy and josh toward work would not diminish. She harboured tremendous devotion for the Sangathan and worked incessantly towards its strengthening, growth and success. I am fortunate to have several such examples to talk about, about people who have inspired me and continue to do so by their unshakeable loyalty and commitment towards the Sangathan. It was Narendra Modiji who taught me what baithak really means. What is a baithak? It is indeed a group of people coming together to put forth their views and discuss important issues. But how Modiji defined it to me was a complete eye-opener. He has the ability to explain concepts in very few words, in a way that’s logical and makes instant sense to the listener. He said “When people arrive for a baithak, you must know that they are coming from different places and viewpoints. But when they leave the baithak, they must all leave with a united plan in mind. Baithak must clear all differences and help people come to a unanimous decision. Only when this happens can we say that the baithak has indeed yielded desired results. And this alone is the true and correct measure of the success of baithak.”

Not just this, Modiji would say that baithak is not some non-serious business wherein people come strolling from somewhere, sit here and there sipping tea and coffee and chit-chatting with each other, causally, gossiping away about the happenings in various Zilas! No, this is not what baithak is! Contemplating on the seemingly smallest aspects of governance, and discussing them threadbare for as much time as it takes is the first priority according to Modiji. Baithak does not happen again and again and when it does, people must devote time and discuss the smallest issues in detail so that progress can be made in the right direction. Secondly, coming fully prepared to the baithak is of utmost importance. Come with a holistic picture in mind, keeping a note of all the issues and subjects that can possibly be discussed in the meeting. Preparation implies doing the home-work well and arriving to the baithak with a focus on identifying, resolving, discussing, reflecting upon and finding the way ahead to all issues. Well, I vividly recall an incident that took place some time back in a baithak where Modiji was present too. I will not name my colleague for obvious reasons here but will share the incident. The Pradesh Karya Samiti baithak was ongoing and the usual trend is that people come to the baithak with differences in opinions and viewpoints. So when my colleague got the opportunity to speak about one particular issue, he decided to vent out all his thoughts at once. He had negative views about several aspects and he spoke at length over that issue, but bringing forth only the disadvantages and weaknesses about the subject.

Narendraji, as always, listened patiently to the entire speech. Once the speaker had finished, Modiji remarked “Well said! You are indeed very eloquent. Can you now share with us just one positive aspect about all of this?” Don’t you think what a big observation this is? Just one remark and Modiji turned around the conversation to a positive note, encouraging people to think of solutions, rather than contemplating only on the negatives. Now that karyakarta had not expected this and he fumbled. He literally had nothing to say! But at the same time, he had learnt his lesson for the future. So had everyone present in the baithak. Everyone has flaws and it is human to err. Dwelling on the negatives of people in a meeting is just waste of time. Modiji would say that the aim of baithak is to delegate work to karyakarta, to hear out his side of the story and to take care of his well-being. He inspired every karyakarta to ensure hundred percent dedication to his booth. If a both has 100 votes, those 100 votes are all that should matter to the karyakarta. If you get those 100 votes, no one can defeat the party. Thus encouraging the booth workers to simply win their booth and not bother about others is Modiji’s message to the karyakartas. Morning walks with Narendra Modi have taught me a lot. He used to call me in the morning and I would reach US club where our office was. From there we would often go to different areas of Shimla for walks. Once we spotted a group of men coming towards us from afar. I remarked that they must be tourists. Immediately, Narendra Modiji said “Look carefully at their belts! They are not tourists. They are members of the Sangh.” Well, the broad brown belts they were wearing, were indeed the belts that members of our Sangh wear. This is how Modiji is an exceptionally keen observer. His eye for detail is such that he can never go wrong with his judgement of people or of situations!

TO BE CONTINUED...

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA AND SHWETA SHARMA