Terrorism divides while tourism unites is the new mantra coined by Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, to the people of Tamil Nadu. “Global tourism industry is worth $3 trillion. But what is India’s share in this business which does not require big investment but has the capability to generate maximum returns as well as jobs,” Modi said while delivering the Nani Palkhivala Memorial lecture here on Friday.
Modi paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whom he described as a great statesman who was heads and shoulders above other political leaders.
“Vajpayee discharged his responsibilities from a position of power and peace (sakti and santi). It was during his prime ministership India held two series of nuclear tests. On May 11, 1998, India held a series of peaceful nuclear explosions at Pokhran. A shocked world led by countries like the USA imposed economic and scientific sanctions on India. But Vajpayee could not be cowed down by such sanctions and embargo. On May 13, 1998 India held another series of nuclear tests and Vajpayee declared to the world that India was a nuclear weapon State. He also declared about India’s policy of no first use of nuclear weapons. This was the sign of his courage and strength,” said Modi.
He recalled that in spite of the international sanctions and embargo, the Indian currency did not lose its value. “During Vajpayee’s rule, inflation and prices were under control. Now the rupee is in ICU,” he pointed out.
True to the legacy of Palkhivala, the Gujarat Chief Minister was restrained in his criticism of his rivals and eloquent about what he proposed to do once he steps into Vajpayee’s mantle.
Modi said the present ruling dispensation at the Centre has successively failed in tackling terrorism. “During his prime ministership, he succeeded in making terrorism an issue in international forums. Countries supporting terrorism were isolated. Vajpayee was successful in creating a world order where there were only two groups; anti-terrorists and pro-humanity. But of late, our approach and response to terrorism has become weak,” said Modi.
The evening also saw the release of the book Self deception: India, China policies; Origins, premises, lessons authored by former Union Minister Arun Shourie. Modi waxed eloquent on Shourie for coming out with yet another brilliant analysis highlighting the failure of India’s foreign policy. The book depicts the reasons why India has been relegated to the position of a nuisance value by the Chinese because of the callous and foolish acts of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Earlier, addressing BJP workers at Chennai airport, Modi said a cyclone much more powerful and devastating than the recent Phailin is waiting to hit the country.
“Though there were apprehensions about Phailin, it did not cause much damage. This is because another cyclone which would devastate the present political dispensation at the Centre is getting readied. It is going to be the real political cyclone,” said Modi.
He also blasted the UPA Government for excavating the Unnao site in Uttar Pradesh based on the claims made by a sadhu that there was 1,000 tonnes of gold in a village.
“The Archaeological Survey of India has started excavating a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao in the hope of retrieving 1,000 tonnes of gold believed to be buried in the region. Instead of venturing out to such foolhardy missions, the Union Government should have tried to bring back the black money stashed by Indians in various Swiss banks. That would have been many times more than the value of 1,000 tonnes gold,” he said.
Some of the BJP workers present at Kamalalayam, the party headquarters in Chennai, expressed their reservations about Modi addressing the Nani Palkhivala Memorial lecture. “Had he visited some of the slums or rural areas in Tamil Nadu, it would have made a major impact on the people. We don’t know how Modi or BJP would be benefited by addressing elite gatherings like the one at the Madras University Centenary Auditorium,” said a party worker.