New York: Addressing a rapturous crowd of NRIs here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed today that India will move ahead at a rapid pace and lead the 21st century world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also told a rapturous crowd of NRIs that Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders will get lifetime Indian visa and that American tourists will be given visa on arrival.
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.
At a unique event at the Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan at which some 20,000 cheering NRIs were present, Modi said that his big win in the Lok Sabha elections had come with a big responsibility for him which he would fulfil.
Listing out India's advantages, the Prime Minister said that its three strengths were democracy, demographic dividend in which 65 per cent of its population was under 35 years, and the demand for India because it was a huge market.
Clearly with an eye on the younger generation, Modi said, “We will not do anything which will let you down.”
“My government will be 100 per cent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the people,” he said, as the crowd repeatedly chanted ‘Modi-Modi'. Attired in a saffron Nehru jacket and yellow kurta, the prime minister held the packed indoor stadium spellbound, asserting that “Our attempt is to make development a peoples' movement.”
In his over hour-long speech in Hindi which he began with ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai' while extending greetings for Navratri festival, Modi promised good governance saying after a gap of 30 years India has got a government at the Centre with a clear majority.
He also had a jibe at poll predictions in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections. “No political pundit or opinion makers could fathom such a verdict,” he said. Winning elections brought with it a big responsibility, he said. “Ever since I took up this task (as Prime Minister), I have not taken even a 15-minute vacation,” he said.
The Prime Minister said there was no need for any disillusionment. “India is going to march ahead at a very fast pace.”
“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 teacher.”
He also said Americans nationals wanting to visit India for tourism purposes will get long-term visa. “My effort is to make development a mass movement. I am confident is that we will succeed. There is cause for disappointment. This country is going to make rapid progress.
“There are many expectations from the new government. This government will be 100 percent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of people,” he said amid loud cheers by the around 20,000 people.
“My dream is to see every Indian family has a home by 2022,” he said.
Here we are giving you live updates of Modi'a address:
10:59pm: Modi concludes his speech with chants of 'Bharat Mata KI Jai'.
10:55pm: Modi-India will provide long term easy visa for tourists from US. Visa on arrival will be launched soon. I have noticed that the kind of affection you have given to me in last 15 years is something unprecedented for an Indian politician. I am grateful to you all… I will pay you all by making the India that you want.I will pay back your debt of supporting me all this while, I will create the India of your dreams.
10:50pm: Modi- I want to say something for PIO card holders. Now, PIO card holders will get Lifetime visa. Now, no one needs to report to a police station every 6 months.We will also merge PIO and OCI schemes and make it one in some time.
10:40pm: Modi- I Want every Indian to own a house by 2022. In our country, Ganga is sacred. Who among you won't want to take your parents to Ganga? But when it comes to visiting Ganga, people think it's too dirty. Will you nothelp me in cleaning our Ganga? When I raised this issue then people said that why are you taking such big and difficult projects in hand? I tell them - People made me PM to solve big problems. Cleanliness of Ganga is a matter of national importance. Uttar Pradesh,Bihar...their economy is dependent on Ganga. It will bring change as it's a big economic agenda.
10:35pm: Modi- I'm going to launch cleanliness drive in India. I want to make toilets in India. People tell me - Modi ji, share your big vision with us. I tell them that I'm a very small person and I have reached here by selling tea. Main chota hoon aur chote logon ke liye kaam karne mein hi mujhe mazza aata hai. Gandhi ji gave us independence, what did we give him? He never compromised on cleanliness, shouldnt we clean the nation for him?
10:30pm:Modi-I request you all to look at MyGov website. Please visit the website and see how you can get involved.
10:25pm: Modi-I invite everyone to participate in Make In India. If you want human resources, low cost production then India is your destination.Previous Govt used to boast of bringing this law & that law, and I? I am trying to do away with all the needless laws.
10:20pm: Modi- In Ahemdabad, you have to spend Rs. 10 for travelling onr Kilometre. We reached Mars for a cost of Rs 7 per kilometre. We reached Mars in less than it takes to make a Hollywood film. India and US are talking not only on earth, but on Mars as well.. US reached on Mars on 22nd September and we on 24th.
10:15pm: Modi-The will power of 1.25 crore citizens of the nation is my strength. Very soon, the world will need workforce in large numbers. All other countries will have old-age workeforce but India will have a young workforce. Today world has demand for teachers, nurses etc. Indian youth can meet all these demands if their skill is developed. We have given importance to skill development. We created a separate Ministry for it.
10:10pm: Modi- Mahatma Gandhi made independence a mass movement. He gave everybody direction in accordance with his/her capability.The way battle for independence was mass movement, development should also be made a mass movement.We want to make development a mass movement.
10:00pm: Modi-Unfortunately, until now, responsibility of development in our nation was with the Govt, now we share that with the people.If the nation has to progress then good governance is essential. Good governance is needed for better governance.
09:59pm: Modi- America is oldest democracy of world, India is biggest democracy. People from all over come to America, Indians are everywhere in the world
09:58pm: Modi- India should be proud of 3 things - democracy, demographic dividend and demand. The world is looking towards you.
09:57pm: Modi-When 1.25 crore people have given their blessings, It's the blessing of God.In India, democracy is not only a system.It's an article of faith.
09:55pm: Modi- Even US politicians said that 21st century belongs to India. India has got that strength.We are a youthful nation with a very old culture. India, today, is the youngest country of the world. 65% population is below 35 yeras age group
09:53pm:Modi- The World is convinced now that the 21st century is the era of Asia. Some people also say that this is going to be an era of India.
09:52pm:Modi- There is an atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm. India wants change.I want to assure you that the govt you have elected for economic growth and upgradation of quality of life, will not disappoint you.
9:50pm:Modi- After 30 years, India has got a full majority government.Ever since I started this job, haven't taken a vacation even for 15 minutes.
9:49pm: Modi-You all have earned respect in America through your behaviour, culture and abilities. You may not have voted in 2014 but am sure when results were coming, you didn't sleep & celebrated. Many of you came during the campaign. I couldn't thank you then but I thank you today.
9:48pm: Modi- I thank the Indian-American community for changing the image of India. Earlier, the world considered us as a country of snake charmers. if you hadn't contributed in technology,this mindset wouldn't have changed.
9:47pm: Modi- Navratri is a festival of worship of strength & purification, I feel lucky to meet you all on this occasion
9:46pm: Modi extends greetings of Navratri to the American community living in US.
9:45pm: Modi begins his speech
09:44pm: Artists sing Indian national anthem.
09:40pm: Narendra Modi arrives at Madison Square Garden.
09:36pm: Artists sing US national anthem.
09:00pm: An artist makes an awesome painting of PM Modi while Kavita Krishnamurthy and her husband perform at Madison Square Garden.
08:43pm: Noted singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and her husband L Subramanian performing at Madison Square Garden. Kavita Krishnamurthy sings 'I Love My India'and 'Vaishnav Jan' for the audience.
08:25pm: Indian-American artists perform at Madison Square Garden
07:00pm- Modi's supporters and members of Indian diaspora start gathering at Madison Square Garden.
06:45pm - Preparations in full swing at Madison Square Garden for Narendra Modi's address.
This is for the first time that an Indiaqn Prime Minister is addressing a gathering at Madison Square Garden.
Former Prime Ministers Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh have addressed people of Indian origin and NRIs mostly in hotel ballrooms, with a few hundred in attendance. But Modi's show is supposed to be unprecedented in its scale and political message.
Madison Square Garden, an indoor stadium in midtown Manhattan, can accommodate 20,000 people. The Madison Square Garden is also home to New York Rangers ice-hockey team and the Knicks basketball team. It has also been the venue for several concerts, including those by Michael Jackson and U2. Two National Democratic Party Conventions have also been conducted here.
