Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the country’s power has increased during the Coronavirus period and the world is “not only waiting for Indian vaccines but is also watching how India runs the world’s biggest vaccination programme.”
Addressing the 16th ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ convention via video conferencing, the Prime Minister said the campaign to empower the poorest of the poor with modern technology is going on in India today, it is discussed in every corner of the world.
The convention is a flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs, and provides a platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians.
“India today is using technology more and more to end corruption. Lakhs of crores of rupees, which earlier used to reach the wrong hands due to all the deficiencies, are now reaching directly into the bank account of the beneficiary.
You must have seen, the new institutions that India has developed, have also been praised by global organizations at this time of Corona. The campaign to empower the poorest of the poor with modern technology is going on in India today, it is discussed in every corner of the world, at every level”, he said.
Recognising the contribution of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Modi said they have strengthened their identities in other countries but all have remained connected with the motherland.
“Today we have been connected with internet from various corners of the world but our minds are always connected with ‘Maa Bharti’. In the past years, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have strengthened their identity in other countries,” he said.
“The past year has been a year of great challenges for all of us. But amidst these challenges, the manner in which our Indian Diaspora has spread around the world, has performed its duty, it is also a matter of pride for India. This is our tradition, this is the rites of this soil. From this place, the trust of fellow Indian origin is being strengthened for social and political leadership all over the world”, Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the Chief Guest of our event , the new President of Suriname, Chandrika Prasad Santokhi ji, is “himself a shining example of this service “ performed by NRIs.
He said that India had taken lead during the pandemic period and is now being watched for the coming massive plan of vaccination in the country.
“Being the pharmacy of the world, India has supplied important medicines to all those in need in the past and is also doing so now. The world is not only waiting for Indian vaccines but is also watching how India runs the world’s biggest vaccination programme,” Modi said.
Acknowledging India’s contribution in global wealth and counter-terrorism measures, Modi said that the world drew courage from our actions during the testing times.
“When India stood in the face of terrorism, the world too got the courage to face this challenge. Today, India is using technology to end corruption. Money worth lakhs and crores are directly being credited to accounts of beneficiaries... People said that India will break and democracy is impossible in the country but the truth is that India stands together with a strong and vibrant democracy today,” Modi said.
Commenting on our country’s prowess in developing indigenous vaccines to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, he hailed India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives to “save humanity”.
“India used to import PPE kits, masks, ventilators and testing kits from abroad but today our nation is self-reliant. Today, India is ready to save humanity with two ‘Made in India’ Covid-19 vaccines,” the Prime Minister said at the convention.
Modi said that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention would be a “‘great opportunity to interact with our vibrant diaspora”.
“Today, India is ready to save humanity with two ‘Made in India’ Covid-19 vaccines. India has done this earlier and it is doing it now as well,” he said while speaking at the 16th chapter of the Convention.
The last one was held at Varanasi.