The fans of Narendra Modi are angry at those who are criticizing him, the way a newly married man is angry at his parents and family members for criticizing his new wife. “How dare you chide a new bahu!” the man roars, give her some time to show what she can do for our family. The supporters of Prime Minister Modi, who assumed office on 26 May 2014, are saying the same thing: give him some time to show what he can do for our country.

A few days ago, PM Modi ordered all primary-school-students in India to come to their schools on Teacher’s Day to listen to his lecture via telecast. This made his unhappy opponents even more vocal. However, the opponents are missing the point.

As the head of government, PM Modi could address any group, anyplace, anytime. He could address lovers on Valentine’s Day, mothers on Mother’s Day, fathers on Father’s Day, grandparents on grandparents’ Day, workers-of-India on May Day, and so on.

Also, orator Modi orates for reasons. He wants to educate us and to inspire us. May be he wants to show that he is not an ordinary man but a learned man, a great thinker, and a man of high caliber. Or perhaps, he wants to hear himself. So let him speak. And ignore how often he gives a talk or how long he talks the talk. More importantly, do not guess his motives behind the talk.

The critics ask why Modi, who just came to power four months ago, seems to be in a hurry to visit abroad. Is it because he hasn’t seen many nations?

It is true that Modi hasn’t seen a vast majority of the countries in the world, but that’s not the reason for his dash to foreign nations.

PM Modi travels to foreign nations to improve India’s image abroad, to impress foreigners, to bring in foreign aid (in thousands of corers of rupees), and to lure foreign corporations to India. We need foreigners to fix our railways, roadways, defense, the river Ganga or Ma Ganga as he calls her, etc. So let him travel overseas.

Remember, it was British who helped build our railways long ago; now either China or Japan will upgrade them.

If some pundits prefer to assess the Prime Minister Modi’s performance or style now – not months later as his followers fancy – then let them. His admirers need not get galled.

In a democratic nation, neither the politicians nor the bureaucrats are above the criticism. The more power a public servant has the more compelling it is check on him or her, because he or she could ruin the nation.