IANS
SYDNEY, NOVEMBER 17
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said there was no reason for India to lag behind any longer as he outlined the progress of schemes like Clean India and Make in India, and also promised the Indian diaspora visa on arrival and merging of the PIO and OCI cards. Addressing an euphoric gathering of over 16,000 members of the Indian diaspora, Modi also invited them to join in the Swachh Bharat campaign and contribute towards building toilets in their villages back home in India.
"Do you believe that the country can rise again, become powerful and capable of helping other countries again?" he asked to the loud cheers from the crowd.
"I don't see any reason for the country to remain behind, fate has decided that it must progress," he said to wild cheers.
He promised that the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards would be merged by the time the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held in Gurajat in January.
He also announced visa on arrival for Australians and an Indian Cultural Centre in Sydney by February 2015.
Speaking at the Allphones Arena, the prime minister said cleanliness was an area where his government was focusing on.
"Dirt attracts illness and the poor man suffers due to work days lost and monetarily too. I invite your participation in the drive," he said, as the crowd chanted "Modi, Modi".
He also expressed admiration for the dignity of labour he has seen in Australia.
"When I came earlier to Australia, many would ask what have you learnt from Australia - and that is dignity of labour," he said.
He said in Australia people speak with the same respect to a doctor as with a driver and he wants to bring in the same element of dignity of labour in India through the Swachch Bharat campaign.
Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, he said that over 71 million bank accounts have been opened under the scheme in villages and the money deposited amounts to Rs.5,000 crore.
The prime minister spoke for around an hour, with his supporters chanting "Modi, Modi" in between.
Hundreds of fans arrived at the Central Station Monday morning after a 12-hour journey from the Southern Cross station in Melbourne.
He called upon Indians across the world to convert the atmosphere of hope and optimism into a reality of meeting the expectations and aspirations of India's people.
Modi said that on the basis of his experience of the last six months, he could see no reason why the aspirations of millions of Indians could not be fulfilled.
He referred to Swami Vivekananda's dream of seeing Mother India as a 'Vishva Guru' once again, and said he believed that dream would be a reality.
"Do you share the dream?" he asked thousands of cheering people in the arena, according to the official statement on his speech.
He said that he feels a greater sense of responsibility as he is the first prime minister born in Independent India.
"We did not have the fortune to fight for the country's independence. We could not die for India. But we can live for India. So, we will live and struggle for India. Today 125 crore Indians share that dream," he said.
"It took 28 years for an Indian PM to make the few hours' journey to Australia. Now you will not have to wait 28 years," he said, referring to the shared values of democracy, and the love for cricket that India and Australia share.
The prime minister exhorted people to recognise the strength of India's democracy.
"Let us now do all we can for India's benefit. And then India will work for the benefit of mankind," he said.
The prime minister congratulated and complimented the Indian Australian community for working hard and making their karmbhoomi (the land of their work) proud.
He named prominent Indian-Australians who had excelled for Australia in sports and academics.
The prime minister talked about the decision to allow 100 percent FDI in railways.
He said he wanted to do humble things for humble people to make a great improvement in their lives.
Modi spoke of the need to improve access to clean water, electricity and sanitation, inviting the Indian-Australian community to give back to the motherland in whatever way they could.
He spoke of his vision for skill development, and India meeting the skilled manpower requirement of the whole world.
"Governments cannot make a country. People make a country," the prime minister said.
He spoke of his initiative to abolish needless laws and his push for self-certification of documents, the statement said.
Thousands of expatriate Indians thronged Sydney's Allphones Arena on Monday, many travelling 1,000 km on a train dubbed the Modi Express, to clap and cheer India's best-known leader since independence figure Mahatma Gandhi.
"I know that behind this affection lie expectations," Modi told the excited crowd. "We want to create the India you are dreaming of."
Modi's appearance at the 21,000-seat arena, which hosted the Rolling Stones last week, underscored the rock star status he enjoys among some Indians at home and abroad. He promised lifetime visas to people of Indian origin, repeating an offer he made to expatriates in the United States that would seek to strengthen cultural and business ties between overseas Indians and their home country.
"He is very inspiring," said Mustafa Jamnagarwala, one of those listening to Modi's 90-minute address.
"He has a magnetic personality and he makes a lot of sense," said Jamnagarwala, who migrated to Sydney 1-1/2 years ago from Pune. "Now I know if I invest back home my money is safer."
Modi arrived on Friday for the G20 economic summit, where he reportedly pushed the issue of "black money", or funds illegally deposited in overseas banks to avoid tax. About 300,000 Indians live in Australia, but trade between the two countries stands at around $15 billion a year, or just a tenth of that between Australia and China.
Modi urged overseas Indians to boost investment at home, reprising an appeal made elsewhere, including the United States, where he sold out New York's Madison Square Garden in September.
He took office in May vowing to create jobs and ignite the Indian economy after years of sluggish growth, launching signature initiatives such as 'Make in India' and 'Clean India'.
Modi often reminds voters of his humble roots as the son of a railway-station tea vendor, in contrast to the privileged circumstances of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has dominated Indian politics since independence from Britain in 1947.
Australia is emerging as a key source of thermal coal for India's growing number of electricity users, as they give up older fuels such as wood and kerosene.
Indian trade and infrastructure conglomerate Adani Enterprises (ADEL.NS) has signed a pact for a loan of up to $1 billion from the State Bank of India for a $6 billion Australian coal mine, rail and port project.
Another Indian conglomerate, GVK, and Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, have won an environmental permit for a second coal mine in Australia, costing $10 billion.
But Modi still has some way to go in winning over potential investors.
"He is expecting people to contribute," said Santosh Kashid, who migrated to Sydney 10 years ago. "However, unless you make India a place to live and work it won't be possible to attract people back home."
