Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the 21st century is India’s century and attributed the sudden change in India’s fortune to the commitment, strength and pledge of the 125 crore people of the country.
“For some time now, people are saying that the 21st century is India’s century,” Mr.Modi thundered in an address to a strong crowd of 18,500 Indian-Americans at the SAP Center in San Jose, which is the hub of Silicon Valley. Asserting that he is giving every minute of his life in the service of the nation, Mr. Modi said he would live and die for the country.
Mr.Modi said that in the past 16 months, world’s perception about India has changed dramatically. The world is looking at India with a new vision and aspiration.
He attributed this change to the commitment, strength and pledge of the 125 crore people of the country.
Mr. Modi said he is confident of India’s success because 65 per cent of the population of the country are of less than 35 years — 800 million. “I can tell you with confidence that this country will not remain behind,” he said during his speech, which was marked with several round of thunderous applause. Mr. Modi said India is in a strong position today.
In just 15 months, India has scaled new height, has attained economic stability. In the past six months almost all rating agency have said in one voice that India is the fastest growing economy in large countries, he said.
Prime Minister Modi said that no one ever thought that brain drain can become brain gain. This is actually brain deposit,” he asserted, adding that it would serve its motherland at an appropriate time. “Now it is the time that every Indian can show people their strength,” he said in his hour-long speech.
Mr Modi recollected the contribution of the Gadar party in San Francisco in India’s independence movement. California has had a historic relationship and contribution in India’s development, he said.
“Today is September 27 here and in India it is September 28. September 28 is the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh. I salute the martyr,” Mr. Modi said and asked the audience to chant with him Veer Bhagat Singh Amar Rahe.
“I am meeting Indian American a year after the Madison Square Garden event in New York. I am coming to California after 25 years. A lot has changed. Many new faces that I see. I can see here India’s vibrancy here,” he said.
"The world has changed its impression about India because of your talent in computers. With your talent, commitment, innovations you are forcing the world to change. If they do not change their view about India, they would become irrelevant in the 21st century," he said.
Attack on Congress
In a veiled attack on the corruption during UPA regime and a barb at the Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, Mr Modi deprecated the culture of graft in the country and said he has provided corruption-free governance. He said corruption during the previous government’s time had triggered anger among people.
“In our country it doesn’t take much for allegations to come up against politicians... Someone made 50 crores, someone’s son made 250 crores, (someone’s) daughter made 500 crores, (someone’s) damaad (son-in-law) made 1000 crores...” he said.
Switching on to a question answer mode, he asked the audience “Is the country not disappointed?” The people replied “yes“.
“Is there not anger against corruption,” he asked. “Yes,” people shouted. Mr. Modi then asked, “I am standing before you. Tell me if there is any allegation against me.” “No,” people shouted. He then told the crowd that he is giving every minute of his life in the service of the nation and he would live and die for the country.
While Modi’s reference to sons and daughters of politicians being corrupt is seen as a reference to culture of corruption in the country, the reference to son—in—law is seen as a barb at alleged land deals entered into by Vadra with the some state governments.
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