"CM thanks BJP leaders and Karyakartas for their wishes on his being appointed Chairman of BJP’s 2014 Lok Sabha Election Campaign Committee"
"We need to make this nation free of the Congress. Our motto must be- Congress Mukt Bharat Ka Nirman: Shri Modi"
"Getting to the chair is not our agenda. Our goal is to give dignity to the people and win their trust again: Shri Modi"
"They are spending crores on advertisements. But instead of Bharat Nirman- Haq Hai Mera, people are saying, Bharat Nirman- Shaq Hai Mera: CM"
"Sadly, we have a Government in Delhi that you can neither trust nor can you expect anything: Shri Modi"
"This Government (UPA) is non-serious. They have taken the people for granted and are not bothered about the youth: Shri Modi"
""
On the evening of Sunday 9th June 2013 Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Karyakarta Sammelan in Goa after the conclusion of the BJP’s National Executive Meeting. Shri Narendra Modi thanked the BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh, top leaders of the BJP and the Karyakartas for entrusting him with the new responsibility of heading the 2014 Lok Sabha Election Campaign Committee and recalled the contribution of the leaders of the party in shaping him. “There are many leaders of the party who moulded me. They filled me with goodness. Sometimes I feel, there are leaders of the party who have done more for me than even their own children,” he said.
The Chief Minister asked the party workers to make a determined effort to uproot the Congress, which has been plagued by policy paralysis. He affirmed, “We may not shine in newspapers or on television but we must shine in the hearts of the people. We need to make this nation free of the Congress. Our motto must be- Congress Mukt Bharat Ka Nirman…we must start from where Atal ji left things.” Recalling the time of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri Modi said that during the first three years of the last decade, a new faith was created among the people and there was a spirit of positivity. ‘However, after 2004 the ship continued to sink,” he declared, adding that the BJP has to save the nation from this.
Shri Modi affirmed that that the aim of the BJP has and will always remain Rashtra Nirman. He stated, “Getting to the chair is not our agenda. Our goal is to give dignity to the people and win their trust again.” Shri Modi said that he has immense faith in the Karyakartas of the party. He shared that there are generations of Karyakartas who may not have appeared in the newspapers or the television but have worked tirelessly for the party. Shri Modi recalled, “The Karyakartas of the Jan Sangh worked very hard during the struggle for liberation of Goa. That time, who knew that we would get the opportunity to serve the people? See in Kerala, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram…our Karyakartas have given their lives too. Yet, our Karyakartas did not stop, bend or get tired.” He affirmed that the BJP is a party that engrained values of service into the polity.
During his speech, he came down heavily on the Congress for the brazen corruption. He described the Congress as being corruption proof and asked why there are so many allegations against the Centre? Taking a dig at the massive Bharat Nirman media campaign, Shri Modi said, “They are spending crores on advertisements. But instead of Bharat Nirman- Haq Hai Mera, people are saying, Bharat Nirman- Shaq Hai Mera!” Likewise, he recalled that when the Prime Minister called for the meeting on internal security, he started his speech by paying homage to the leaders who died in the gruesome attack in Chhattisgarh but when Shri Modi began his speech, he also paid homage to the policemen who died in the attack, the two soldiers who were beheaded by Pakistan and the fishermen of Kerala who were killed by the Italian marines. He added, “What I said that day, shouldn’t the PM have thought about and said?”
Taking on the Government for the trust deficit, Shri Modi avowed, “Sadly, we have a Government in Delhi that you can neither trust nor can you expect anything. And trust is a very big thing. Today that trust is lost and everyday events are taking place that is eroding this trust even more.” Shri Modi pointed that things are such that if a young girl in Delhi leaves her home in the morning and does not return in the evening, parents get worried. Similarly, a farmer is unsure of the price his produce will fetch considering the manner in which the Central Government fluctuates its policies.
He described the Congress as a party steeped in opportunistic politics and attacked the Centre for destroying the federal structure of the nation. Shri Modi affirmed, “When Opposition Governments were being formed, particularly after 1967, Article 356 was misused. Opposition Governments were not allowed to fulfill their five-year terms. They also tried to break parties. They did not let Governments last and turned Raj Bhawans into Congress Bhawans,” and added, “Now when Article 356 becomes difficult they are misusing the CBI. This just shows their lack of faith in democracy.”
Giving more examples of institutional destruction under the Congress, Shri Modi said, “The Head of the Planning Commission is the Prime Minister. It is also a bridge between the Centre and the states. But the Centre disrespected that body too. Who would have imagined there would be an NAC over a Planning Commission? And who heads the NAC?” He went on to point out that while the Prime Minister speaks about eradicating the menace of Maoism, the NAC and Planning Commission have individuals who are either very closely associated with Maoist activity or their NGOs have those associated with the Maoists. He also shared that when Mr. GK Pillai was the Home Secretary there was a plan to fight Maoists but Shri Modi asked who were the forces who scuttled this plan?
Talking about the UPA, Shri Modi said, “This Government (UPA) is non-serious. They have taken the people for granted and are not bothered about the youth.” He questioned the Centre about their promise to add 1 crore jobs for youngsters, which has not been fulfilled. Pointing to the anger and unrest among the youth, Shri Modi asked why is it that there are so many youngsters protesting at Jantar Mantar? He said that if the energy of our youth is not harnessed positively, it is a cause of major concern.
Shri Modi remembered the special place Goa has in his life. He said, “Goa has a very special place for me. Newspapers are writing Goa is lucky for Modi but it is not about Modi’s luck. This is the same Goa that allowed me to continue to serve in Gujarat in 2002. When I got blessings of Goa, I was able to scale new heights. So, I am sure these blessings will allow me to work even better.”
Earlier, Goa Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar, Goa Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza spoke and praised Shri Modi for his development. Shri Modi also praised the work of Shri Parrikar in Goa.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley took on the UPA on various issues and also talked about the corruption under UPA. BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh showered praise on Shri Modi, described him as the most popular leader. He also highlighted the development of the Vajpayee Governments, comparing it with the decline in the development ever since the UPA took power. BJP Vice President Smt. Smriti Irani, General Secretary Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Text of PM Modi's address to the Indian Community in Guyana
November 22, 2024
Share
The Indian diaspora in Guyana has made an impact across many sectors and contributed to Guyana’s development: PM
You can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian: PM
Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply,Culture, cuisine and cricket: PM
India's journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability: PM
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive: PM
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots,They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values: PM
Your Excellency President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President Donald Ramotar, Members of the Guyanese Cabinet, Members of the Indo-Guyanese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
Seetaram !
I am delighted to be with all of you today.First of all, I want to thank President Irfan Ali for joining us.I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival.I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me.
I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that, over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother, we also planted a tree. It is part of our initiative, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", that is, "a tree for mother”. It was an emotional moment that I will always remember.
Friends,
I was deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of Excellence’, the highest national award of Guyana. I thank the people of Guyana for this gesture. This is an honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3 lakh strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.
Friends,
I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
Friends,
Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy. You have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies. From humble beginnings you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: "It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.”He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
President Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals, Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets, Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet, Many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
Friends,
Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply. Culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa.
This year, the Diwali was special as Ram Lalla returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong.
I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
Friends,
Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them. The food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that Dhal Puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.
Friends,
The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship.
Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year.
Your cheers for the ‘Team in Blue’ at their match in Guyana could be heard even back home in India!
Friends,
This morning, I had the honour of addressing the Guyanese Parliament. Coming from the Mother of Democracy, I felt the spiritual connect with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean region. We have a shared history that binds us together. Common struggle against colonial rule, love for democratic values, And, respect for diversity.
We have a shared future that we want to create. Aspirations for growth and development, Commitment towards economy and ecology, And, belief in a just and inclusive world order.
Friends,
I know the people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India. India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability.
In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.
We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world.
Friends,
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive. Our digital public infrastructure is empowering the poor. We opened over 500 million bank accounts for the people. We connected these bank accounts with digital identity and mobiles. Due to this, people receive assistance directly in their bank accounts. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest free health insurance scheme. It is benefiting over 500 million people.
We have built over 30 million homes for those in need. In just one decade, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Even among the poor, our initiatives have benefited women the most. Millions of women are becoming grassroots entrepreneurs, generating jobs and opportunities.
Friends,
While all this massive growth was happening, we also focused on sustainability. In just a decade, our solar energy capacity grew 30-fold ! Can you imagine ?We have moved towards green mobility, with 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.
At the international level too, we have played a central role in many initiatives to combat climate change. The International Solar Alliance, The Global Biofuels Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Many of these initiatives have a special focus on empowering the Global South.
We have also championed the International Big Cat Alliance. Guyana, with its majestic Jaguars, also stands to benefit from this.
Friends,
Last year, we had hosted President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. We also received Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in India. Together, we have worked to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas.
Today, we have agreed to widen the scope of our collaboration -from energy to enterprise,Ayurveda to agriculture, infrastructure to innovation, healthcare to human resources, anddata to development. Our partnership also holds significant value for the wider region. The second India-CARICOM summit held yesterday is testament to the same.
As members of the United Nations, we both believe in reformed multilateralism. As developing countries, we understand the power of the Global South. We seek strategic autonomy and support inclusive development. We prioritize sustainable development and climate justice. And, we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address global crises.
Friends,
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An Ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.
You, the Indo-Guyanese community, are doubly blessed. You have Guyana as your motherland and Bharat Mata as your ancestral land. Today, when India is a land of opportunities, each one of you can play a bigger role in connecting our two countries.
Friends,
Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz has been launched. I call upon you to participate. Also encourage your friends from Guyana. It will be a good opportunity to understand India, its values, culture and diversity.
Friends,
Next year, from 13 January to 26 February, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite.
It is for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be held in Bhubaneshwar in January. If you come, you can also take the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Now with so many events and invitations, I hope to see many of you in India soon. Once again, thank you all for the love and affection you have shown me.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And special thanks to my friend Ali. Thanks a lot.
