Emotional PM Modi recounts early days, praises diaspora as rashtradoot in address to capacity Long Island crowd

New York/New Delhi: “I couldn't give my life for India's freedom, but I am committed to dedicating my life for swaraj and a prosperous India,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a capacity diaspora crowd in Long Island, as he waxed nostalgic, recounting his early years when he traversed the length and breadth of India mostly on foot for several months.

Addressing an ecstatic over 15,000 capacity Indian diaspora crowd at the Nassau Coliseum in New York’s Long Island, PM Modi also recounted the time he toured 29 states of the US, at a time when he was not holding any political post.

“There was a time when I was not PM or CM, I would come here (to the US) to understand the land, its people. When I was not in any post, I had toured 29 states,” he said, adding that when he became Gujarat CM he was able to connect with the diaspora through technology -- when he was denied visa by the US from 2005-14 over the Gujarat riots.

PM Modi said that he is the first Indian PM who was born after Independence. “And in the fight to gain independence crores of freedom fighters did not bother about themselves or their comfort zone, they sacrificed everything to fight the English. And in that path some were hanged, some were riddled with bullets, some died in jail, many spent their entire youth and life in jail.

“I could not die for the country, but I will definitely live for the country.

“I am destined to live for the country…From day one, my mind and mission have been clear. I couldn't give my life for India's freedom, but I am committed to dedicating my life for swaraj and a prosperous India,” said an emotional PM Modi.

Recounting his younger days, he said a large part of his life was devoted to roaming around the country. “I would eat wherever I got food, and slept wherever I got a place to rest, from the seas to the mountains, and cris-crossing the country, I met all spheres of people, and tried to understand them..

“And through this I got first-hand experience of the cultures and traditions of my land… And that was another time, but destiny brought me to politics. I never thought I’ll be CM one day, and became Gujarat’s longest serving CM - 13 years.

“And after that people gave me promotion and made me PM… The lessons that I learnt after roaming around the country, that is what has made my governance model so successful,” he said.

He said the entire country has seen his work, and people with great faith have given him a third consecutive term in office.

Lauding the diaspora, he said that even when he did not hold any official post he had understood the importance of the Indian diaspora, which he does even now.

“The diaspora has been India’s strongest brand ambassadors, and that is why I call you ‘rashtradoot’,” he said, to loud cheers of ‘Modi, Modi’.

Praising the diaspora, he said there is no comparison to their commitment and capabilities.

“You may have moved across the seven seas, but there is no ocean that is so wide that can take you away from Hindustan,” he said, and added that wherever they go the Indian diaspora always merges with the people there.

“For the world AI means artificial intelligence, but I believe it means America- India. America-India is the spirit that is the new AI power of the world. This AI spirit is taking the India-US relations to new heights,” he said.

“I salute the Indian diaspora. I salute you all,” he said in English, to wild cheering.

He recounted that US President Joe Biden had taken him to his house in Delaware for the bilateral, and he was very moved by the gesture.

He said this respect that he received is thanks to the Indian diaspora.

“I thank President Biden and all of you,” he added.

Dwelling on foreign policy, he said that before his government came India was following a policy of “equal distance from all”, which has been changed to “same nearness to all”.

He said that at the G20 hosted by India last year, they got the African Union enlisted as member of the bloc.

“Today when India speaks on the global platform the world listens.

“When I said this is not the era of war, the world understood its import,” he said, referring to the Ukraine conflict and India’s position.

“Today when there is a disaster, India comes forward as first responder. This is part of our tradition,” the PM added.

He said that to speeden global peace India’s role will be important.

To give new direction to innovation India’s role will be important; in the global supply chain, India’s role will be important.

“For India strength and capability means equal sharing of knowledge, power is for protecting,” he said.

“We are those who spread light like the sun… We do not want to show our power on the world but to increase our participation.. We do not want to be GDP-centric but human-centric,” he added.

He urged the diaspora to plant trees as part of the ‘Ek ped Maa ke naam’ -- planting a tree in mother’s name.

“This mission is spreading across India, and I want that you should also start such a campaign here. This will increase the wealth of our mother and of Mother Earth."

He said that India is striving to host the 2036 Olympics.

Referring to the US returning nearly 300 ancient artifacts, PM Modi said the India-US partnership is becoming stronger. “It is for global good, and we are cooperating in almost every field,” he added.

He urged the diaspora to keep the India-US dosti going.