STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has earned a spot among the Indian Express 100 most powerful Indians in 2023, ranking 24.
Sinha is the 24th most powerful person in the nation as he is the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir UT. He has not only managed to help the Union Territory grow but has also brought the common man closer to the system.
LG Sinha has emerged as a man who talks less and delivers more. He is seen as man of action, who believes in performance on ground zero. For this he keeps moving around to see for himself the progress registered in every sector on every project. He has proven to be a hard taskmaster.
Since the day he has taken over as the J&K Lieutenant Governor, he has ensured that the government servants remain on toes and don’t even think about becoming complacent. Sinha has remained accessible to officials as well as the common people.
The robust grievance redressal system in the Union Territory has brought the common man closer to the system. LG Sinha himself listens to the grievances of people. Programmes like Awam-Ki-Awaz, LG Mulaqat have become instant hits among the people.
It is not easy to run Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the abrogation of its special status in 2019. While it saw his predecessor being transferred in just a year after revocation of special status, Manoj Sinha has managed to cling on to power for almost three years now. Also at the Centre, the belief is that the dynasty reigns of the Abdullahs and the Muftis are passé and Jammu and Kashmir needs new faces. Sinha has been brought in to identify younger politicians, who can bridge the gap with seniors of the region as well as bring disparate sections of the society together.
After a long gap, Sinha has managed to get the first foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Valley. A two-screen cinema multiplex and a big shopping mall, now in the works, are two big visible changes that he is pushing for despite the security challenges. In pushing forward the development agenda, the Lieutenant Governor has always acknowledged that the conflict has scarred both the communities, which adds to his credibility.
With the assembly elections overdue, Sinha’s biggest challenge would be to ensure a conducive atmosphere for free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
He’s found of quoting from Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poems, especially the epic Rashmirathi (1952)
Having enjoyed a rapport with PM Narendra Modi for decades, LG’s commitment on the slogan of Vikas has set the deadline for the completion of hundreds of projects.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi tops the list based on his influence over the country’s growth ever since has held his position.
The Prime Minister has slammed Pakistan several times now concerning their terrorist activities like Pulwama and Uri attacks. He managed to take decisions during such hard times of battle.
Along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, Rahul is the only non-ruling establishment name in the top 15 (barring Mukesh Ambani, that is). The fact that both outrank Gandhi is a reflection of the flux in the shrinking and challenged Opposition space, with regional parties refusing to cede primacy to the Congress. The Punjab win means Arvind Kejriwal remains in contention, but with corruption charges clouding his moral high ground and his No. 2 in custody, he is down seven ranks.
Ajit Doval also became a member of this 2023 most powerful Indians list holding the 10th position as his decisions have highly influenced the defense line of the country. He has forwarded influential decisions during the most sensitive situations.
Within the top ranks composed interchangeably of government, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has surged to No. 3, ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and BJP president JP Nadda. With G20 presidency and India’s foreign ties central to the Modi government’s 2024 campaign, Jaishankar is the muscular brain that fits the BJP bill just right.
The other BJP face with a sharp rise is Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who zooms from No. 32 to 17, riding on skilled electioneering, powering the party in the Northeast. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has settled comfortably into his prominent portfolios, thus climbing 30 places to No. 19.
