PM Modi Applauds Firstpost Editor For Viral Oxford Speech On The India Story

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Network18 journalist Palki Sharma, who highlighted about a year ago India’s success story through data and anecdotes in a powerful speech in Britain that has now gone viral on social media platforms.

“You have given a wonderful glimpse of the massive transformations taking place across India, @palkisu!” PM Modi posted on X on Thursday, tagging Sharma, Managing Editor, Firstpost. Hours before the PM’s post, as the video of her speech started getting shared widely, Sharma herself took to X and said she was “overwhelmed” by the response.

Oxford Union

“My remarks at the Oxford Union almost a year ago have made their way across social media. I gave a perspective on what has changed in India, citing events & anecdotes to support my argument. I’m overwhelmed to see how it has resonated with so many of you,” she posted.

In a 10-minute video, Sharma summarised the significant changes witnessed in India over the last 10 years. In the video of the famed Oxford Union debate about a year ago, she argued in favour of the motion ‘Modi’s India is on the Right Path’. The debate was held in June-end last year in the UK.

In her speech, Sharma rejected false and misleading narratives about religious intolerance in India, emphasised that it was wrong to judge “one country on the parameters of another”, stressed how India transformed itself from a “self-doubting nation where decisions were taken based on global opinion” to a confident entity, and underlined that the country had emerged as a “soft power giant”. She added that India was “no longer a timid democracy that tolerates terrorism or betrayals”.

“Today invasions and colonialism are part of our history, not our identity, we are shaped by years of subjugation, not defined by them. We are excited about our global responsibilities, not wary of them this change in confidence comes from growth at home,” she said.

‘Nightingale of Indian Media’

“This video should reach every Indian. Irrespective of Caste, Color or Religion, watch this full video without bias. It’s brilliant. Bookmark. Share Widely. Feel Proud of the Developments. Definitely lots more to be done in next decade. Looking forward,” said one of the users on X. Another wrote, “Palki Sharma – The Nightingale of Indian Media. This Should Make Every Indian Proud. What an Excellent Speech, Incredible.”

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