January 22, 2025

The last time he addressed the nation over prime time television, Prime Minister Modi dropped the bomb of demonetization on unsuspecting citizens. The last nearly two months have caused upheavals in the lives of all people for different reasons. While the poor and the honest have resented the restrictions on withdrawing their own hard earned money from banks, the corrupt and the hoarders have scrambled to devise ingenuous ways to turn black into white. Hence, the people are talking about this evening’s (31/12/2016) address the PM is going to make on prime time TV.

As New Years’ parties now start early, some as early as 6 pm, most venues have made arrangements to telecast the speech live. People are bracing for more shocks, with a prayer that maybe the PM will not do anything to spoil their already tension-ridden year.

They need not worry. Most reports indicate that the PM is now going to provide a balm for demonetization pains. People are already talking about how he can cut tax rates or even provide a tax moratorium for some time (although that’s hoping too much). All in all, people have made up their mind that in his year end speech, the PM is not going to spoil the festive mood.

If the prime minister gives some relief, he is bound to cheer up the festive crowd. Whiskey in hand, people will applaud the man who gave untold blisters in wrong places in the last 50 days if he eases the soreness with big ticket relief – a five percent reduction in income tax, for instance.

One thing is sure. This new years’ eve is going to be very different from other years. Instead of belly dancers, DJ’s or singers being the stars, a chaiwala-turned-PM is going to be one. Here’s wishing people a Patiala peg from the PM this evening. May what the PM says turn 2017 into an accha year!