All it takes is a speech from Modi, a kind of speech he's made countless times, for some people to get excited enough to say the coming decade belongs to India. Meanwhile more than half a decade since Modi became PM, all of this great promise still lies in the future.

Even before the pandemic hit, the Indian economy was in a downward spiral.The fiscal stimulus measures in most countries are seen as stopping the bleeding. In India,it's being marketed as the coming age of India in the 21st century. Am getting too old for this rehashed rhetoric.

After nearly 50 days of lockdown, Modi finally announces a stimulus package ~ 10% of GDP. We have no idea where money is coming from in an already broke economy, who intended beneficiaries are, and what if any reforms will follow. Perhaps some answers after another 50 days...

Richer countries with stronger institutions honest enough to admit it'll take 10 years or more to recover from this crisis. But yet India tells you 21st century belongs to India with the lockdown continuing, no exit in sight, and the virus has not been contained. Peak PR.

Some influencers in the Modi ecosystem quick to point out that self-reliance is not same as self-sufficiency, protectionism and import substitution.This is splitting hairs.Truth is Modi govt has pursued policies that have been protectionist using the fig leaf of self-reliance.