The status of PM Modi as a respected global leader has been reaffirmed. This time around, United Nations Secretary General, Antonia Guterres, heaped praise on PM Narendra Modi. The world body chief praised PM Modi for his strong and effective leadership as he handed him the Champions of Earth award. The Champions of Earth is a top level United Nations Award that recognises contribution in the field of environment protection.
During the Award ceremony, Guterres said, “In PM Narendra Modi, we have a leader who realises the issue of climate change and understands the benefits of climate action. He knows the problems and also works to solve them.” He also said that the UN is recognising a statesman who embodies true leadership while stressing on the need of bold leadership to tackle the challenge of climate change. The UN Secretary General was all praise for India as well and said, “I thank India for setting an example and was pleased to present Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Champions of the Earth Award.”
The award has been given to Prime Minister Modi for his extensive efforts to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ and an ambitious plan to eliminate all single-use plastic by 2022 across India. Prime Minister Modi’s efforts towards promoting solar energy were also recognised. His International Solar Alliance initiative aims to scale up solar energy in countries having potential of producing great amounts of solar energy and thereby reducing humans dependence on fossil fuels.
While accepting the top United Nations honour, Prime Minister Modi showed great humility. He said, “I accept this award on behalf of millions of Indians who protect the environment each and every day… From fisherfolk who only take what they need or tribal communities who think of forests as their family. We will never be able to tackle climate change without bringing climate into our culture. And this is why India is taking so much action for our climate.” Therefore, he gave all the credit to the Indian masses for the top honour. While receiving the honour, Prime Minister Modi made it clear that it was the result of commitment of the people of India that they have towards the environment.
Along with Prime Minister Modi, the Cochin International Airport, which is the world’s first fully solar powered airport, too received a similar honour. It was awarded in the Entrepreneurial Vision category for “leadership in the use of sustainable energy”. Prime Minister Modi expressed pleasure for this award in his speech and stated, “This is also a proud moment for India because the Kochi Airport has received an award… It also shows our seriousness towards caring for the environment.”
This has conclusively corroborated the status of Prime Minister Modi not only as a statesman who represents India’s interests effectively around the globe but also as a global leader. His unwavering commitment towards making the world a better place to live in has been recognised and awarded with a top honour. Prime Minister Modi is working tirelessly not only for the welfare of India and its citizens but also for the entire humanity. The way United Secretary General, Antonia Guterres’ heaped praise on Prime Minister Modi shows how the entire world looks at the Indian Prime Minister with a lot of respect. This has reaffirmed the significant place that Prime Minister Modi and India enjoy at a global level in today’s time.