London: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing members of the Indian community at the Wembley Stadium in the UK.
Following are the highlights of PM Modi's speech:
- Namste! Greetings for 'bhai dooj'.
- Good evening Wembley.
- This is a historic day.
- Between two great nations, two vibrant democracies, two wonderful people - we are celebrating this very special relationship at this very special venue.
- I was told, that London would be cold. But not this much. Your wonderful and warm welcome makes me feel at home
- I have come amidst you after 12 years.
- I came here earlier as chief minister and now I am here as Prime Minister.
- This time I have come amidst you with the new responsibility given to me by my citizens
- And to fulfill that responsibility, I am trying my best. And my dear citizens, let me assure you, the dreams you have seen, the dreams every Indian has seen...we have the capability to realise those dreams.
- With the last 18 months of experience I can say that there is no reason for India to remain poor.
- 125 crore Indians, 250 crore arms and 800 million people below the age of 35, India is made of the youth.
- And the country that has so many young people can no longer stay behind.
- I am here for two days. I thank the UK government, PM Cameron for their warm welcome
- But this welcome is not for one person. This welcome is for 125 crore people, India's great democratic values
- I have spoken to PM Cameron in the past and he always praisesdthe Indian community here so much. It seems that he is totally at one with the Indian community
- His sensitivity to the Indian people is very apparent.
- The soil of London has seen India's fight for independence. One of those people were Shyamji Krishna Varma
- He was barrister and he was banned by the BAR for his fight for India's freedom. I thank PM Cameron that he overturned that decision
- India is advancing towards progress. It is a phenomenon for the world
- People are astonished by how we live in unity despite so many differences in language, culture, food
- Diversity is our specialty, Diversity is our pride, Diversity is our power
- In India, Kabir and Rahim have inspired us
- Today the terrorism that is sweeping the world. I feel if Sufism had spread under Islam, no one would have taken up the gun
- Our country has been blessed with a lot of diversity. And you are in one way the true ambassadors of that country
- How one can be sensitive to your neighbours and coexist in peace - you have shown.
- And this tradition has been carried by you and that is why the Indian community spread around the world has shown India's power. I thank you for that
- Do you feel the opinion about India has changed?- This change is the mark of India's success.
- Today the world is recognising India as a power. It is looking at India as a land of opportunites
- We no longer want sympathy from the world, we want equality.
- And I can say after 18 months of experience that today whoever speaks to India, speaks as an equal.
- If they want to associate, then with a win-win formula; If they want to advance, then shoulder to shoulder; And this to me is the sign of a bright future
- The world is suffering from two problems. First, terrorism; second, global warming
- Whether it be terrorism or global warming, saving the entire humanity is the responsibility of every country, every citizen of the world
- and for this India can show the right path
- Mahatma Gandhi's life, his teachings, his non-violence philosophy has so much power that we can find the way to counter terrorism and global warming because Gandhi was that foresighted.
- India is fulfilling its responsibility and will continue to do so.
- The first thing I took up was the job of setting up toilets and many people even from here contributed to building toilets.
- In our country many young girls drop out of schools. Why? Because they didn't have separate toilets, isn't this an injustice?
- So I decided in a set time every school in India should have a separate toilet for the girl child. And I am happy to report this has happened
- India be freed from its past problems, this is imperative. But should that be enough?
- We have to build a new advanced prosperous India
- We were at the end of 'Ease of Doing Business' list. We took some steps and now the we are moving up very fast
- Don't go by headlines of the newspapers, India is much more than newspaper headlines and what you see on TV
- In Rajasthan's Alwar there is a man called Imran Khan. He has made 50 mobile apps. And that too education apps that will benefit students. And Alwar's Imran Khan dedicated those apps to the students for free. That's the real India. Imran Khan is my India.
- World leaders, educationists, economists, everybody took to 'Selfies with Daughters'. This is my India
- It is because of people who are working selflessly and tirelessly, I can say with confidence that India will reach greater heights.
- OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) procedure will be simplified. We have merged OCI and PIO (Person of Indian Origin).This too has been simplified. Visa will now be electronically authorised. MADAD online platform will make visa, OCI simpler
- From December 15, there will be a direct flight from London to Ahmedabad
- Brothers and sisters, I have come after 12 years. All the love that you have saved up, today you have showered that on me in one day
- The colour of your passport will not determine who you are. India is as much yours as it is Narendra Modi's
- India assures you that the dreams you have, India has all the ability to fulfil them. And I tell my brothers and sisters all over the world, India is moving ahead - come join us
- Say loudly, Bharat Mata Ki Jai!