Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he did not get chance to fight and contribute for India’s struggle to secure freedom from the British, but has the opportunity to lead the country to new heights.
“I’m the first Prime Minister of India who was born after independence. We could not die for the country but we can live for it,” said Modi while addressing an Indian diaspora event in New York.
India: a growing nation
Talking about India’s journey as a nation and its remarkable progress, Modi said the country was doing exceptionally well in almost every field of life.
Be it education, technology and business opportunities, India has been making the desired progress, he said with a sense of pride.
“India no longer waits for opportunities, rather it creates them,” he added.
Modi, giving example of the 5-G market of India, said, “please don’t mind, it has become even bigger than that of the US”.
The Indian Prime Minister said that technology is being promoted in India to make life better for everyone.
“Drone technology might not be new for you, but in India, women living in rural parts of the country are being trained to fly drones,” he told the cheering crowd.
The usage of drone technology in farming sector is increasing in India.
India’s commitment for climate cause
The Prime Minister, while talking about Indian’s commitment to not to harm environment, said, “we could have supported our growth using the conventional fuel but we choose new technologies such as renewable energy and others to take the country forward.
“…railway stations, airports and households are using solar energy,” he said, mentioning that India have achieved its climate goals before the set deadline.
In the past 10 years, India saw a new university coming up every week. Similarly, it grew well in other areas as well, he observed.
India is a friendly country with no bad intention towards any country
Talking about India’s foreign policy, Modi said India now maintains equal closeness with every nation unlike earlier when it would keep equal distance from all.
“…when I said that this is not the era of war, the world took it seriously,” the Prime Minister said, while mentioning how India would hurry up to help countries in need during crisis.
“Helping others is our culture, and this what we have learnt from our ancestors,” he emphasized.
He, however, also made it clear that India, with its increasing influence in the world, does not believe in bullying any country.
Indo-US relations are getting stronger
Thanking US President Joe Biden, Modi said India-US partnership is growing and “it’s for global good”.
“Wherever I travel, every leader praises the Indian diaspora. Yesterday, President Biden welcomed me into his home in Delaware, and his warmth was truly touching. This honor belongs to 140 crore Indians and to all the Indians living here. I am thankful to President Biden and to all of you,” he said.
He also thanked the US government for returning 300 antiques to India that must have been stolen from the country year ago.
“Till date. the US has returned over 500 items. It’s an honor of India. I’m thankful to the US government,” he said.
Modi also announced opening up of two more new consulates in US’ Bosten and Los Angeles.
Observing that modern India dreams big, he said India would work hard secure hosting of Olympic games in the country in 2036.
He also expressed gratitude towards all the people of Indian origin living in the US, saying, “you have built a bridge between India and America. Your skills, talent, and dedication are unmatched. Even though you may be separated by seven seas, no distance is great enough to keep you away from India”.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the UN’s Summit of the Future on September 23 before returning to India after his on-going three-day visit to the US.
