New York: Beaming with hope and confidence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured the nearly 20,000 strong Non Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin community at New York's Madison Square Ground that the 21st century belongs to India. Amidst massive sloganeering in his favour by an ecstatic crowd, Modi said that India is growing at a rapid pace and it has the capability to lead the world.
"The 21st century will be that of India. By 2020, only India will be in a position to provide work force to the world," he said while citing examples of growing global demand for nurses and teachers to the houseful crowd.
Appreciating the efforts put in by the NRIs, youth of the country and technology, he said that it is only through the combined efforts of all that India has been able to come out of the image of the "land of snake charmers".
He also invited the NRIs to take an active part in his ambitious "Make In India Project". "People can connect with the 'Make in India' project through a simple tap on their phones and laptops. You can also connect with us on our website mygov.in to connect with the government," Modi said.
Assuring a bright future, the PM listed out the advantages that India has over the others. "Democracy, demographic dividend in which 65 per cent of its population is under 35 years, and the demand for India because it is a huge market," according to him were the three biggest strengths that India possesses.
Modi also accepted that his majestic win in the Lok Sabha elections had come with a big responsibility for him and promised that he will do his best to fulfil the aspiration of the people. "My government will be 100 per cent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. We will not do anything which will let you down," he said adding that ever since he took charge as the Prime Minister, he has not taken even a 15-minute vacation.
Amidst repeated chanted of 'Modi-Modi' from the crowd, he spoke on the development that India must undertake. "My effort is to make development a mass movement like the Indian freedom struggle. I am confident is we will succeed in this. There is no cause for disappointment," the PM asserted.
With an eye to connect with the NRIs, Modi, who arrived at the packed Madison Square Garden to a rousing welcome, announced the merger of PIO and Overseas Citizens of India schemes to facilitate hassle-free travel to the Indian diaspora. He announced that PIO card holders staying in India on long-term basis will no longer have to report to the local police station.
He also took a jibe at the his predecessors saying that "earlier governments only talked about making new laws, I have removed all laws that were outdated and redundant. There was a web of policies in which people get caught," Modi said.
In an unprecedented welcome for an Indian Prime Minister, over 3 dozen Congressmen and Senators encircled the stage and waited as PM Modi came up on the stage. Attired in a saffron Nehru jacket and yellow kurta, the PM held the packed indoor stadium spellbound as nearly 20,000 people cheered for him.
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