Asserting that a new “atmosphere of trust” has developed in India since he took over 10 months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to “clean up” the mess left behind by the others. “There is a new atmosphere of trust in our nation... We say ‘jan gana man adhinayak’ —that ‘Jan Man’ has changed,” Modi said addressing in Hindi an estimated over 10,000-strong Indian diaspora at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, where Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife were also present.
Modi exhorted the Indian diaspora to contribute to their home country’s development by sharing their expertise and experience. “The country is facing many challenges. And there is only one medicine,” he said. As the crowds shouted “Modi, Modi”, the Prime Minister said it is not him but something called “vikas” (development) is the solution to all the problems of the country.... Only development can take the country forward.”
The Prime Minister said that development is a solution to all the problems that India faces. He said the country has all the capabilities it needs, it just needs opportunities now. Those who had create a mess, they have done so and left. We will go after cleaning it up,” Modi said attacking the previous Governments.
“India will provide the workforce to power global growth. Our mission is ‘skill India’, not ‘scam India’,” he said. As the audience repeatedly cheered with chants of “Modi, Modi”, the Prime Minister said that whatever is happening is not due to him but due to the people of India.
He underlined that India had the youth power as 65 per cent of its population is below 35 years of age and if they decide to work for the progress of the country, nothing can stop the nation. Modi said the march of development has already started over the last 10 months in a “transparent and corruption-free” environment. In this context, the Prime Minister said while earlier two-km length of road was being built per day, now 11 km is constructed in a day.
Recalling a Bollywood song, Modi said that 10 months back the Government in India changed and now the ethos of the people have changed. He said that India’s biggest treasure is its youth and his aim was to see them as “job creators”. “Eighty crore youth population, 80 crore dreams, 160 crore strong hands. What can we not achieveIJ” he said, adding that he wants the youth to be job creators not job seekers.
Modi thanked Canada and his counterpart Stephen Harper for the immense enthusiasm with which they expressed their love and said the relationship between the two countries will be “very long and fruitful”.
“My experience of working with Canada has always been very good right from the time when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Canada partnered with Gujarat in 2003,” said Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to undertake standalone bilateral visit to Canada in 42 years.
“The decisions we have taken today have been taken in a friendly atmosphere. Our association is going to be very long and a fruitful one,” Modi said, referring to his bilateral talks with Harper and the agreements signed after that.
Speaking at the same event, Harper earlier said, “We are here tonight to celebrate the special friendship that exists between India and Canada. It is a friendship we truly value.”