5 questions every Indian wants Narendra Modi to answer in his debut Townhall interaction

As has been widely reported by the media and announced by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit the Facebook HQ in California and hold a Townhall interaction on the 27th of September.

This is undoubtedly a matter of pride for Indians worldwide considering Prime Minister Modi will be the second leader after US President Barack Obama to address such an interaction and as India is the second largest user base for Facebook.

Zuckerberg himself had asked for questions from every citizen that could help in bringing together communities and help in bringing about social-economic changes.

While we agree that listening and answering to the millions of voices in a limited time might prove to be a close to an impossible task, we at Business Insider decided to make things easier by drawing up a list of five questions we’re sure every Indian would want to ask-


1. Is caste-based reservation system really the way forward for modern India?
This is not just a topical question, but also a question that’s evergreen and that needs to be answered before we work towards any other development. Are caste-based reservations really going help us transform ourselves in the league of modern nations? Is depriving everyone a fair chance, despite their caste really fair?

2. Despite producing the best computer engineers in the country (Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai), why are there so little jobs for the youth in India?
More than 90% of Indian youths with degrees are unemployed, if not disillusioned. Why is it that a country that has the brightest of minds has so little to offer them? Why do they have to settle in newer countries to find fame, and quality of life?

3. In the age of social media, do you think it should be mandatory for government bodies in India to have active social accounts on Facebook and Twitter where citizens can channelize their grievances and report crimes?
Bengaluru Police has revolutionized the digital space. Their multiple Twitter accounts and Facebook account is updated and they’re equally prompt with replies to grievances or to take action regarding any untoward incidents. Why cannot every government body make its presence felt in social media and be accountable to the thousands of citizens online? If this was made mandatory, more and more people put off by the long queues and the lengthy process of channelizing their grievances would come forward and take part.

4. How can we use social media and technology in general, to help the cause of women empowerment and safety across India?
Safety of women in India, especially in the national capital is a dreaded issue, an obstacle that still hasn’t been crossed. With incidents of crime against women being reported day in and out, we want Prime Minister Modi and Marrk Zuckerberg to tell us how technology can help us in making India a safer place for women, a city a time.

5. Is it okay to impose vegetarianism on a country that prides itself on being secular and where majority of its citizens are non-vegetarians? In that light, is banning meat, logical or so, to say fair?

This has been the hot topic for discussion in the country in the past few weeks and we really would like to know Modi’s thoughts about it as banning meat is clearly not the answer for respecting someone’s religion or beliefs. Neither is forcing people to watch what they're eating and what they're not.

Image credit: Indiatimes