New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today described Mahatma Gandhi as a "pravasi bharatiya" or Non Resident Indian (NRI), drawing a hearty applause from a large gathering of Indian Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden. (At 'Modison' Square Garden, I Thank You, Says PM Modi)
"You are pravasi bharatiyas. Like you, there was one MK Gandhi. He was also an NRI," he said, his audience clapping loudly at the comparison. (Highlights of PM Modi's Speech)
"Gandhi returned to India in January, 1915. Next year, 2015, it will be 100 years of Gandhi's return. The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is held on 8-9 January every year. Many of you come for that. This time it will be held in Ahmedabad," he announced. (Top 10 Quotes from PM's Speech)
He urged Indians abroad to draw inspiration from Gandhi's return. "Gandhi went abroad, became a barrister, had opportunities, but he came back to serve the nation. I appeal to you to try and find a way to pay your debt to your motherland," he said.
PM Modi's hour-long speech was peppered with references to Mahatma Gandhi, whom he called "Mohanlal Karamchand" instead of "Mohandas Karamchand" at one point - a slip that was noted on social media. (Rate PM's Speech Here)
He appealed for a clean India pledge to honour Gandhi. "On 2019, India will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. He gave us freedom, what did we give him? We should work for two ideas that were dear to him - India's independence and cleanliness." (PM Modi's Dream: A House for Every Indian by 2022)
He also said, "Mahatma Gandhi made the freedom struggle a mass movement. Let's make development a mass movement."
Mr Modi is on a five-day tour of the US, his first since he took power in May. (Haven't Taken Even a 15-Minute Break, Says PM Modi to Indians in America)
"You are pravasi bharatiyas. Like you, there was one MK Gandhi. He was also an NRI," he said, his audience clapping loudly at the comparison. (Highlights of PM Modi's Speech)
He urged Indians abroad to draw inspiration from Gandhi's return. "Gandhi went abroad, became a barrister, had opportunities, but he came back to serve the nation. I appeal to you to try and find a way to pay your debt to your motherland," he said.
Advertisement
He appealed for a clean India pledge to honour Gandhi. "On 2019, India will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. He gave us freedom, what did we give him? We should work for two ideas that were dear to him - India's independence and cleanliness." (PM Modi's Dream: A House for Every Indian by 2022)
Advertisement
Mr Modi is on a five-day tour of the US, his first since he took power in May. (Haven't Taken Even a 15-Minute Break, Says PM Modi to Indians in America)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"We Revived Nalanda University, Now We Must Revive Nalanda Spirit": PM Modi "Secular Civil Code Need Of Times": PM Modi In Independence Day Speech "Strictest Punishment For Crimes Against Women": PM Amid Kolkata Protests 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court "Attempt To Save Accused Instead Of...": Rahul Gandhi On Doctor Rape-Murder Vandalism At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped, Tear Gas Fired India's 78th Independence Day: A Tribute By Google Doodle "Full Of Negativity...": PM Slams Opposition In Independence Day Speech "We Revived Nalanda University, Now We Must Revive Nalanda Spirit": PM Modi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.