This refers to the editorial, “Responding to critics” (August 17). Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second Independence Day address to the nation came from a leader who seemed to have been mellowed by the ground realities of governing a nation. His 80-minute speech focused more on actions that had been taken regarding the ambitious plans announced earlier. The success stories of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan and the Jan Dhan Yojana were underlined by the Prime Minister.
Contrary to popular belief, Mr Modi’s non-committal stand on the one-rank-one-pension issue is not a let-down. Obviously, he is working out on the final touches and the announcement will come once the plan is ready. Mr Modi has also coined a new slogan ‘Start-up India, stand-up India’. One hopes he will also stand up for the announcements and promises he has made to the nation. Notably, the Prime Minister didn’t speak on Pakistan-sponsored terror or the logjam in Parliament .