Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a bigger fan base abroad than back home and for really good reason. Addressing over 18,000 heady Indian-Americans gathered at the SAP centre in San Jose, Modi had the crowds at the edge of their seats, cheering, clapping and rooting for him. Taking the stage for the final event of his Silicon Valley tour like a true rockstar as lights flashed and the crowd chanted his name in the 18,000 seat sports arena. Winding up his two-day US West Coast visit, Modi is the first Indian leader to visit the Valley in more than 30 years. Aiming to deepen ties with the US technology sector and boost India's digital infrastructure by promoting his 'Digital India' campaign, he said, “India has moved from scriptures to satellites. The world has started to believe that the 21st century belongs to India.”
“India is waiting for you,” he declared. Saying it as the diaspora started contributing to their country, he said, “People started to talk a lot about brain drain and they complained a lot about it. Did anybody ever think that this brain drain could become brain gain? No, but now it has.” Praising them and giving them credit for lifting their country's image globally, he was an absolute delight to all those present there. “Your fingers created magic and this gave India a new identity. Your skill and commitment is wonderful. Your commitment, your innovations, sitting here you are forcing the world the change.” In his hour-long address, Modi touched on topics focused on terrorism and the climate change. He also in his characteristically true self asked the awestruck audience for a “certificate” for his performance in the 16 months he has been in power. He said he saw a “vibrant picture” of India in the large Indian tech community that lives and works there. Praising the “nimble fingers” of Indian tech experts who “have made the world acknowledge India” with their competence and innovations.
“For the last 25 years, there's been a question, 'Whose is the 21st century?'” and answered his own question saying that while it used to be said this century was Asia's, a lot of people are now saying the century belongs to India. “This change didn't come because of 'Modi Modi Modi.' This change has come about because of the 125 crore of Indians who have resolved that India won't lag behind.” With a speech as flamboyant as is always expected of him, Modi did not disappoint as he took a dig at India's 'damaad' and 'beta'. “In our country it doesn't take much for allegations to come up against politicians...This person made 50 crore, that son made 250 crore, that daughter made 500 crore, someone's damaad (son-in-law) made 1000 crore...”
“I requested my countrymen to give up their LPG (cooking gas) subsidy, and 30 lakh people actually surrendered it voluntarily,” he said. He made sure, he said, that the poorest of the poor could open bank accounts even with zero cash. “But these poor people in total deposited 32,000 crore by saving 50 Rs here, 100 Rs there,” over 18 lakh new accounts. “We know about the poverty of the rich. But seeing the wealth of the poor you feel immensely touched.”
Addressing the thriving issue of terrorism, he said, “The world has to realise that terrorism can hit anyone at any place and it is the world's responsibility to recognise it and unite against terrorism. We cannot safeguard humanity if we do not come to an agreement on what constitutes terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism, there can be no differentiation between good and bad terror.”
He began and ended his address by mentioning freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, acknowledging the freedom fighter's birth anniversary. “Raise your fists and say Bharat Mata ki Jai. Say it louder! Let this sound reach India.”
