PM's remarks at the Global Citizens Festival, Central Park, New York City

Published By : Admin | September 27, 2014 | 22:47 IST

How are you doing, New York...
I hope, you are having, a good time...

Namaste. My greetings, to all those, watching on TVs, laptops, tablets and phones, as well. 

Glo cit 684_1

This, is a great city. It has assimilated, the world, in itself. 
Today, you have shown, that you also care, for the world outside. 

I am truly delighted, to be here. In the open Central Park. And not inside, a closed Conference Room... 
Among the Youth. Among you. 
Because, you are the future. What you do Today, will decide, our Tomorrow. 

I feel, a current of hope, in this Park. Among you, I feel confident about the future...

You are touching, the lives of those, who are not as fortunate, as you are. What an admirable act, this is. What a sacred mission.

For you to think, about those, who are far. Whose faces, you have not seen. Whose names, you do not know. Whose nationality, does not matter to you.

Glo cit 684_2

For you to convert, your thoughts into action. And devote, your time, and energy. So that others, may have a better future too.

Those living in poverty. Without education. Without basic sanitation. Without opportunity. And worse, without hope.

I salute you. I feel proud, of each one of you. I am sure, your families, your friends, your nation, feels just as proud.

Some believe, that the world changes, with the wisdom of the old.
I think, that the idealism, innovation, energy and ‘can do’ attitude, of the youth, is even more powerful.

That is my hope, for India too. 800 million youth, joining hands, to transform our nation. 
To put, the light of hope, in every eye. And, the joy of belief, in every heart. Lift people, out of poverty. Put clean water, and sanitation, within the reach of all. Make healthcare, available to all. A roof, over every head. 

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I know, it is possible...
Because, I feel, a new sense of purpose, energy, and will, in India. 
Because, India’s youth, can see that, you are joining hands, with them.
Because, I believe, that we can speak with one voice. For one future...

That, is why, I am here.
Because, I believe in you...

Let me end, with a few lines in Sanskrit, that inspire me, personally:

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः।
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु।
मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

May All, be prosperous, and happy.
May All, be free from illness.
May All, see what is spiritually uplifting. 
May no one, suffer.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace...

Thank you once again, for having me over.
Thanks in particular, to Hugh Jackman here.

God bless you all. 
May the Force be with You...

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2014

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2014

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a massive public meeting in Bengaluru, Karnataka and hailed the BJP’s growing support across southern India, asserting that the people of the country are choosing ‘stability, speed and solutions’ over instability and scams. He said that today, a saffron sun has risen from the land of Bengaluru.

Addressing party karyakartas and supporters, PM Modi said, “As a BJP karyakarta myself, I know that only BJP workers can gather in such large numbers, in such an organized manner, this early in the morning. I am deeply grateful to all of you for coming here in such huge numbers.”

Recalling the historic significance of May 10, PM Modi said the day marked the beginning of the First War of Independence in 1857, which later transformed into a nationwide movement against colonial rule.

The PM said that inspired by this spirit, the nation had recently marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. He also informed the gathering that he would be visiting Somnath in Gujarat tomorrow to participate in the celebrations marking 75 years of the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple.

Calling Karnataka a major pillar of BJP’s southern expansion, PM Modi highlighted the NDA’s electoral successes in multiple states and Union Territories. “Puducherry has voted for an NDA government for the second consecutive time, Assam has chosen NDA for the third straight term, BJP has received historic blessings in Bengal, and in Gujarat, BJP has broken all previous records in panchayat and civic polls,” he added.

“These results carry a very strong message, in a world surrounded by instability, the people of India are giving the mantra of stability. The people are saying they want speed, not scams; solutions, not excuses; and politics driven by national interest,” he said.

“When BJP was not as big a party as it is today, Karnataka gave BJP tremendous strength. Today, NDA is in power in Andhra Pradesh, BJP is number one in Karnataka in terms of Lok Sabha representation, BJP is the second-largest force in Telangana, NDA has formed government again in Puducherry and BJP has also opened its account in Tamil Nadu,” he said. Referring to Kerala, the PM expressed confidence about the BJP-NDA’s future prospects in the state.

“There was a time when BJP had only three MLAs in Bengal and today we have a government there with over 200 MLAs. In Kerala too, we have moved from one to three MLAs. The day is not far when BJP-NDA will cross the majority mark there as well,” he remarked.

Launching a sharp attack on the Congress party, PM Modi contrasted BJP’s ‘pro-incumbency’ with what he termed Congress’ growing anti-incumbency. “We have been in power at the Centre for 12 years and BJP-NDA governments are serving in more than 21 states. People repeatedly bring BJP governments back because they trust our governance and development agenda,” he said.

The Prime Minister alleged that Congress governments fail to retain public confidence because of poor governance and internal conflicts. “Congress has no chapter on governance in its political book. In Karnataka, instead of solving people’s problems, the government spends most of its time resolving internal fights. In Himachal Pradesh, government employees are struggling to receive salaries and in Telangana, farmers are being pushed towards distress,” he said.

Accusing Congress of betraying women on the issue of women’s reservation, PM Modi iterated, “For decades, Congress misled the women of this country. BJP ended that politics and enacted the law for 33 percent reservation for women. But Congress remains the biggest anti-women party and opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan legislation.”

He asserted that women in Karnataka and across the country would never forgive Congress for obstructing greater political participation of women.

Referring to Tamil Nadu politics, the PM said Congress had repeatedly depended on its allies for survival but later turned against them for political gains. “Look at Tamil Nadu. For nearly 25-30 years, Congress had a close relationship with the DMK. Time and again, the alliance with DMK rescued Congress from political crises and strengthened it at the Centre. But a power-hungry Congress stabbed DMK in the back at the first available opportunity,” he said.

“The world is facing multiple crises today. The continuing instability in West Asia has impacted the entire world, and India too is affected. At such a time, we must strengthen our sense of restraint and responsibility. We must make every effort to reduce unnecessary expenditure of foreign exchange and protect national resources,” PM Modi said.

Drawing parallels with the collective response during the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi called upon citizens to stand united once again in the national interest.