The 100-day diary

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: Why is there this obsession with 100 days? Is it because there is a nice ring to it? It can’t be a reference to the Bollywood film where Madhuri Dixit has visions. Nor can it be a reference to the other film named 100 days, about the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The Chinese talk about a 100-day reform attempt, undertaken in 1898 by a young emperor. While this was primarily political (transition to democracy) and contemplated modernisation of army, there were elements of revamping the education system and moving towards a market-based economy. However, conservative opponents hit back and there was a coup. Therefore, Chinese imagery doesn’t augur well. But we aren’t that close to the Chinese. Perhaps the imagery is Western — Allied Offensive in 1918 or that associated with US Presidents since Roosevelt’s New Deal in 1933. At least, these two instances were successful, unlike the Chinese one or Napoleon’s last 100-day campaign. Given Indian conditions today, New Deal is particularly apt. Borrowing a phrase from Stuart Chase’s book, Franklin Roosevelt’s acceptance speech promised, “Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth… I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people.”