Dear Prime Minister,

Congratulations on being elected the Prime Minister of India for another term. This is a comprehensive victory for yourself and your party.

I have mixed emotions as I write this. I am happy that India can (deservedly) look forward to a stable leadership with an honest man at its helm. Having said that, with all due respect Sir, I'd like you to know that I have no expectations from you or your government. No expectations, only HOPE. Unfortunately, that is all that the people of this country can do today - hope. As I have realized in the past so many years, to expect is to be foolish.

When you were appointed Prime Minister at the end of the previous General Elections, at the time, I was proud that this country has a noble, simple, intelligent and honest leader. Quite obviously, that created expectations. As the whole world has seen over the past 5 years, that hasn't counted for too much. I still do not have any faith in the Indian political and governance system. I have still not seen any reduction in problems that the common man has been facing. I have still not seen the development that this country was promised and quite rightly deserves.

But somehow, somewhere deep inside, I believe in the power of goodness. And I believe you are a man of very good intentions. I hope this election result does not give rise to complacency and
over-confidence - on your part or on the part of anyone in your administration. I hope to see a renewed enthusiasm in yourself as well as your team. An enthusiasm to finally set things right. Everything that you personally wished to do for the country in the past 5 years, this is your opportunity to do all of those things.

I believe that I speak not just for myself, but for a large majority of urban, middle-class Indians. I believe that a large portion of the public does not fully trust the new incoming government. They have voted only for what they believe is the lesser evil. But they all have HOPE. Their trust needs to be earned. Failure to earn this trust, Mr. Prime Minister, will lead to greater disillusionment amongst the people of this land. Their hope will turn to unrealized and impossible dreams. And they do not deserve that.

Mr. Prime Minister, I cannot expect you to read this. But I can certainly hope. Even if you do read this, I cannot ‘expect’ you to take anything from it. I can only hope. There's only so much that a
youth in his mid-twenties can say to a man as senior and respected as yourself. You have the right to dismiss this letter as childish, idealistic and condescending. But then, isn't that what democracy is all about?

The proverbial ball, dear Prime Minister, is now in your court. I wish you the very best.

Sincerely,

Aviraj Singh Saluja