Shri Modi addresses Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 via video conferencing
It was believed that good governance and development is bad politics. Elections cannot be won on that. But the voters of Gujarat did something different. They showed good governance and development is also good politics: Shri Modi
If we have to move ahead in the 21st century development is the only way ahead: Shri Modi
India is the world’s most youthful nation. A nation with such youth power cannot dream small. We cannot commit this crime. We should dream big, we should enable the youth to dream big and we should give them an opportunity to realize their dreams: Shri Modi
Shri Modi pointed out that earlier Gujarat was known as a trader state but now it is also known as a manufacturing state: Shri Modi
On the afternoon of Wednesday 9th January 2013 Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 via video conferencing. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 is being held in Kochi, Kerala but due to unavoidable reasons Shri Modi could not personally attend the event this time. The Chief Minister apologized for not attending the event and thanked the members of the diaspora who had gathered to hear him. Shri Modi talked about the new heights of development scaled by Gujarat and answered questions from the audience.He thanked the members of the diaspora for their constant good wishes during the election time.
Shri Modi said, “It was believed that good governance and development is bad politics. Elections cannot be won on that. But the voters of Gujarat did something different. They showed good governance and development is good politics. It is not easy to fight elections on issue of development and I am glad people of Gujarat placed development over everything else.” The Chief Minister added, “If we have to move ahead in the 21st century development is the only way ahead. It is not about how much money you have but to do something better than before.” He affirmed that when people give their acceptance to development the responsibility and commitment of the Government increases even more.
“We want to scale new heights of development,” affirmed Shri Modi. He talked about giving a strong impetus to youth power. “India is the world’s most youthful nation. A nation with such youth power cannot dream small. We cannot commit this crime. We should dream big, we should enable the youth to dream big and we should give them an opportunity to realize their dreams. For that, if rules need to be altered, if priorities need to be changed then so be it.”
The Chief Minister lauded the contribution of women to the development journey of India and said that in various sectors the contribution of women is immense. He shared that in the exhibition at 2013 Vibrant Gujarat Summit there is an entire pavilion dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship among women.
He also called for growth in agriculture through better technology, ‘per drop more crop’. He spoke how Gujarat’s transformation in agriculture and stated that the state’s agriculture is growing a 11% when the national growth rate is not going beyond 3%. He affirmed that Gujarat’s farmers have added new strength to the development journey of the state.
Likewise, Shri Modi talked about the strides made by Gujarat in tourism. He pointed that earlier Gujaratis were known as best tourists but now the state has become a tourist destination in its own right. He invited the diaspora to visit the Gir forests and the ongoing Rann Utsav. Shri Modi expressed confidence that Gujarat will do well in the services sector.
Shri Modi pointed out that earlier Gujarat was known as a trader state but now it is also known as a manufacturing state and added that the state is now on the path to being an auto hub. He said that the Government is giving impetus to infrastructure, which does not only mean roads but goes beyond to include ports, gas grid and lot more. “I am proud that 18,000 villages have broadband. Schools in the villages have Internet and due to that long distance education is possible.” He talked about the Government’s New Textile Policy and stated that Gujarat is a state where there is 0 man days loss. He stated that the Government is working on skill development initiatives in a very big way.
On the large number of requests to hold a Pravasi Bharatiya Divas meet in Gujarat. Shri Modi said that he has already requested that the 2015 Pravasi Bharatiya meet be held in Gujarat. This is because the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is linked to Gandhi ji’s arrival from South Africa and 2015 marks the centenary of Gandhi ji’s arrival to India from South Africa.
After the talk Shri Modi answered a few questions. The questions were asked by members of the diaspora from USA, New Zealand, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia to name a few.
He also thanked the Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Shri Vayalar Ravi for his kind words earlier during the session. Principal Secretary (NRI) Shri Arvind Aggarwal spoke on the occasion.
