New Delhi, September 29 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that those with Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards will get lifetime visas. He also said American tourists to India will soon get visas on arrival.
“Happy?” he asked as the crowd cheered his announcement. “There is even more to come,” he said smilingly.
Modi announced that NRIs staying in India for long had to visit the police station, and “there is no need for them to do that anymore.” He also said the Indian missions in the US would grant long term visas to US citizens and US tourists would get visa on arrival in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today received a rousing welcome from some 20,000 cheering NRIs when he addressed them from a 360-degree rotating platform at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
The massive crowd, comprising men, women and children applauded on various occasions and shouted Jai hind, visibly upbeat and energized to hear the prime minister on US soil.
His address was preceded by a cultural extravaganza with performances by among others singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and her violin maestro husband L Subramaniam.
An artist painted a huge portrait of Modi on the stage while the duo’s performances were on.
I have not taken a vacation even for 15 minutes: PM
Expressing a strong resolve to make development a mass movement in India and put every effort to take the country to new heights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has not taken a vacation for even 15 minutes since he assumed the high office in May.
“I have not taken a vacation even for 15 minutes since taking office,” the Prime Minister said addressing some 20,000 cheering crowd at the Madison Square Garden here.
In his 75-minute-long speech, Modi said India has huge talents and the country has the potential to lead the world in the 21st Century.
Listing out India’s advantages, the Prime Minister said that its three strengths were democracy, demographic dividend in which 65 per cent of its population was under 35 years, and the demand for India because it was a huge market.
‘Indians played with snakes, now they play with mouse’
“India was once known as a world of snake charmers. Now the magic that its people have woven with the mouse in the Information Technology sphere is world-renowned,” Modi said.
“I was in Taiwan some years ago. Someone wanted to ask a question and was hesitating. He asked if I won’t feel bad, I said go ahead. He said I heard India is a land of black magic and snake charmers. I said no, our forefathers may have played with snakes but we now play with the mouse,” he said in his address.
‘Winning elections a responsibility’
On the BJP’s landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said winning elections is not for sitting on a seat but a responsibility and added that he has not taken even a 15-minute vacation since taking over the helm of the country. Mars mission cheaper than auto fare in Gujarat: Modi
The people of India and the diaspora have conveyed the strength of democracy through the elections, he said. “I will not do anything to make you lower your head. The government you have chosen will not leave anything out,” he said.
Meeting with Barack Obama
The Madison Square Garden reception concluded Modi’s three-day stay in New York where he attended the United Nations General Assembly and a series of other events. He will now leave for Washington for his crucial bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama on Monday and Tuesday.
-INDIA TODAY
