Engaging, informative and straight from the heart Google+ Hangout session held with Shri Narendra Modi. Questions came not only from India but also from the world. Noted actor Ajay Devgn anchored the session.
Shri Modi opens up on a variety of issues ranging from black money, Gujarat’s growth, and skill development to the gender ratio in Gujarat.
Shri Modi shares insights and anecdotes on his favourite food, the number of hours he sleeps and even the iconic Modi Kurta!
Whatever I said today I said from the heart. Together we must rise and work in service of Ma Bharti: Shri Modi
I hold very different views on the issue of brain drain. I believe in philosophy of Bahu Ratna Vasundhara: Shri Modi
Lets create an environment of development. I believe in P2G2- pro people good governance: Shri Modi
I want an India where the entire USA comes seeks a visa to visit our country: Shri Modi
I never wish ill of anyone. Criticism is welcome in any democracy but it cannot be allegations: Shri Modi
For the sake of India’s growth we need to bring back black money: Shri Modi
All three sectors of the economy must grow at an equal pace for the nation to develop: Shri Modi
A Government must be close to the people. Governments cannot sit and reign from ivory towers: Shri Modi
International experts say it takes 7 years to get an area back on track after an earthquake but we got Kutch running in 3 years and today it is one of the most developed districts in India: Shri Modi
On the evening of Friday, 31st August 2012 Shri Narendra Modi yet again created history on the Internet and social media when he held a Google+ Hangout session with people from across the world. The Hangout was centered around the theme of ‘Strong and Glorious India Long Cherished by Swami Vivekananda’ and the questions were sourced from various sources on the net including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Shri Modi’s website (www.narendramodi.in). When the last date for asking questions closed on midnight of 29th August there were already over 20,000 questions for Shri Modi!
People from 116 nations across the world logged in to hear Shri Modi share his thoughts during the Hangout.
This Hangout is noteworthy because the participants are not only from India but also from across the world. From New York, London, Qatar and Tokyo, there were participants who joined Shri Modi and asked him questions.
The Hangout Session, which was moderated by Ajay Devgn saw Shri Modi answer over 18 questions that were divided into 2 sessions. Most of the questions were LIVE and were ranging domestic and international issues. The Chief Minister gladly answered questions on some aspects of his personality that have not been very well known. For instance, he shared the secret behind his ever-famous ‘Modi Kurta’. He also shared his favourite food items and the number of hours he sleeps in a day.
Shri Modi stressed on the need to promote a culture of skill development among the youngsters and shared some of Gujarat’s initiatives in this regard. He stressed on the need to promote a culture of skill development among the youth of India so that it can compete with China and take on its predestined mantle as the leader of the world. He recounted his experience with the Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme that had enabled him to interact with sharp young minds who brought with them some fantastic ideas.
Answering a question on the negative image of politics among youngsters, Shri Modi said that while he understands the feeling, youngsters must join politics with a feeing of SEVA (service) adding that even Shri Rama, Shri Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi were involved in matters of statecraft.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that things such as E-passports will become a reality in the years to come and spoke on the need to have strong relations with the diaspora at large.
In his wonderful style, the Chief Minister explained his disagreement with the concept of ‘brain drain’ and said that what India is doing is creating a global talent pool. He stated that he believes in the philosophy of ‘Bharat Bahuratna Vasundhara’. On the perception of India being seen as a service sector economy, Shri Modi spoke on the need to ensure all 3 sectors of the economy grow in equal measure to benefit most number of people.
On being asked about the labour relations in Gujarat, Shri Modi opined that the state has paid utmost important to each and every citizen and the fact that Gujarat has seen zero man day loss in the last three years indicates the nature of labour relations in the state. He further spoke that the Manesar incident was unfortunate and there should not be a repeat of such incidents in any part of the country.
A large number of questions received revolved around corruption and black money and Shri Modi spoke on the important issue with wonderful insight. He minced no words in saying that Black Money must return to India and said that from his experience in Gujarat, it is possible to say that good leadership can minimize the extent of corruption in the state. He called for political will in ending corruption and bringing back the black money stashed aboard. He gave the example of Shyamji Krishnavarma and spoke that if he could get his ashes back, similarly with a determined effort black money can make its way back into India.
Talking about innovative tourism in Gujarat and particularly developing islands of Gujarat to promote water sports et al, Shri Modi affirmed that while these were good ideas, they can only happen with a strong PPP model and gave the idea of a cruise that would cover Mumbai to Mandavi.
In addition to these questions, Shri Modi answered questions on Gujarat’s developments in various fields ranging from agriculture, the development of Gujarat’s villages to the issue on women development in the state. He shared how Gujarat despite being a drought prone state scaled heights in the field of agriculture. The Chief Minister stressed on the need to ensure that all sectors of the economy grow in equal measure for overall development to take place. He gave the Mantra of P2G2- pro-people good governance, which was very well received.
The Hangout was watched all over the world and received a fantastic response even on social media sites, Facebook and Twitter. For the entire day #ModiHangout was trending at the top position on Twitter.
