Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers keynote address.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered keynote speech to over 100 parliamentarians of Indian-origin at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra at Delhi's Chanakyapuri. "We are increasingly focusing on the world, our perception of the world is changing, its main reason is that India is transforming itself, it is being transformed. Reforms to transform is our guiding principle," PM Modi said in his address.
As many as 124 members of parliament (MPs) and 17 mayors from 23 countries including UK, USA, South Africa, Canada, among others will be present at the event. The biggest delegation will be from Guyana with 20 members of parliament and three mayors. The US delegation will be represented by only two mayors as the Senate is in session.
Every year, January 9 is celebrated as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD), an annual celebratory day that marks the contribution of overseas persons with Indian origin (PIO) towards their homeland. The conference will commence at 10 am with opening remarks by Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the keynote speaker.
Here are the live updates on on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:
PM Narendra Modi's Keynote address:
- We want to work together to become a 'New India'
- We have strong ties with ASEAN nations
- You play a very important role in India's improvement and India's development
- You should encourage all other Indians as well
- Gandhiji's thoughts should be followed by all
- We do not focus on any country's territories
- We believe in walking with all other countries
- We want India to spread peace, stability and harmony
- When the global society is divided in different levels and ideologies, you can provide the example of India's 'sabka saath sabka vikas' (Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth)
- While there is a growing concern about extremism and radicalisation across the world, you can spread the message of "respect for all religions"... something that is at the root of our rich and diverse Indian culture
PM Narendra Modi's Keynote address:
- Welcome to India. Welcome home. I welcome you on behalf of 130 crore Indians
- Some of you went abroad to study, some of you were born when your parents or grand parents migrated abroad, some were even sent forcefully or were persuaded to go, but one thing is common for you all, you may be physically present in some other country or some remote corner of the globe, but from your heart you all are Indians... you left behind a piece of your heart in India
- The thoughts that, 'nothing will change... things will be how they used to be... nothing can be done about it,' are a thing of the past.
- Today's India, a young India, a new India, has come a long way from such thoughts.
- The hopes and aspirations of the people of India are at the highest level at this time. The result of an irreversible change in their mindset will result in an overall change in the system, across all sectors.
- The focus on India is changing across the world. The reason for this is that India is transforming
- In the last three-four years, the perception of India has changed
- We are increasingly focusing on the world, our perception of the world is changing, its main reason is that India is transforming itself, it is being transformed. Reforms to transform is our guiding principle
- When there is news about how you all are influencing the geo-politics of where you live and how you are making policies, we feel proud
- Today the World Bank and IMF look at India in a positive way
- Whatever change has happened, it has happened in the past three years. This is because we are using the principle, reform to transform
- There is no sector that we haven't brought reform into
- Our aim is to end corruption
- Along with societal transformation, we are bringing in economical changes as well
- On the matter of climate change, I spoke to France President to work together with solar rich countries. We are aiming to make a global platform
- During tragedies in countries across the world, India provides all its help and security to these countries
- We should be proud of holistic living. 171 countries sponsored our Yoga Diwas plan
- Today India stands first in row when it comes to UN peacekeeping
- Our Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj is not just for Indian nationals, but has her eye on on diaspora problems. Under her leadership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has monitors consular grievances's real time and is a portal that response to the "Help"
"Narendra Modi proves that we do what we say": Sushma Swaraj