Upon returning to Hyderabad, the author reflects on India’s bustling development and public perception under Prime Minister Modi. The welcome at the airport, marked by a cutout of Modi, sets the tone for a journey filled with evidence of India’s economic surge, characterized by luxury advertisements and a cacophony of media glorifying the Prime Minister.
The media landscape is dominated by a narrative of sycophancy, with full-page ads praising Modi’s policies and reducing dissent to a rare occurrence. The author observes that the presentation of news often resembles a PR machine, showcasing Modi as a singular figure of authority, akin to a monarch. This cult of personality has led many Indians to view him as a visionary leader restoring order in a historically chaotic system, reflecting a deeply ingrained respect for authoritarianism.
Although Modi’s tenure is seen by supporters as transformational—bringing economic growth and initiatives like Ayushman Bharat—critics highlight the pervasive brainwashing and a compromising of institutions. The media is largely subservient to the government, echoing nationalist sentiments that have permeated politics, media, and even sports, evident in the cricket team’s lack of sportsmanship against Pakistan.
Political satire faces repression, and comedians risk backlash for dissenting jokes. While Modi’s cultural and religious symbolism reinforces a majoritarian narrative, the implications of his rule signal a normalization of authoritarianism in what should be a vibrant democracy. The author concludes that true freedom and environmental concerns remain overshadowed by the façade of growth and nationalism, encapsulated in the phrase “India has been Modi-fied.”
