Governments today face scrutiny on their 100th day, sixth month, first year or some equally arbitrary period. Like surprise examinations in a school, they end up being haphazard exercises in assessing the true worth of the examinee. For one thing, they are completely subjective. You can choose your metric the Sensex being up or down, inflation, FDI coming in and so on, and shape the argument any way you want. In other words, show the glass as being completely full, half empty, half full, or completely empty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed upon his arrival at Deendayal Dham near Mathura on Monday, where he kickstarts a series of 200 rallies to mark a year of his government. Pic/PTI