Congress President Rahul Gandhi is currently in Bahrain where he will address a group of NRIs.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi will today address a convention of NRIs in Bahrain, where he will be the chief guest at an event organised by the Global Organisation of People of India Origin (GOPIO). This will be Gandhi’s first trip abroad after he took over as president of the party. A state guest, he is also likely to meet Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamas Al-Khalifa.
Delegates of 50 countries are participating in the function, a statement issued by the party said. The Congress president will also have an interactive session with business leaders of Indian origin on Monday. During his last such visit, Rahul Gandhi addressed two universities in the United States – University of Berkeley and Princeton, which, in a way, redefined the politician and began what many would call a comeback for the new Congress chief.
I want NRI leaders involved in the Congress party. Even though you are not in the country, you should be part of the nation buidling: Gandhi on a ministry for NRIs
Congress will create a ministry for fisheries. Large number of problems of fishermen can be tackled if we have a designated department, says Gandhi
The propaganda of lies can be beaten only with truth. The BJP is in power now. We participated in the freedom struggle and helped the country shape up. So, we have the strength to overpower them in 2019: Rahul Gandhi
Don't agree that there is no innovation in India. India is the world's biggest innovator. Tremondous skills in the country. The question of providing support to the innovators, Rahul Gandhi said on improving entrepreneurship in the country
Give us 6 months and we will give you an updated version of politics: Rahul Gandhi
We are ready for Karnataka elections. We have a very talented and experienced leader and we will win the state, Gandhi said
On being asked what concrete actions will he take if he comes to power, Congress president listed them out as follows
Congress party is fighting on road. Gujarat is the hub of BJP. The saffron party just won marginally in the state. Our party questioned the party thoroughly in the state. Our work is to give India a new vision and give you a new Congress party. The fight is not with BJP. The focus is on us. We have made mistakes but we have accepted them. Manmohan Singh had called out demonetisation because the party has experience. We have experience and the young force, and we will give you a new Congress party, Gandhi said on his fight with BJP and comparison with the leaders
Small efforts by politicians give direction. I cannot imagine India where everyone does not feel a part of it. So the starting point is to feel that all citizens irrespective of their caste, religion, wealth are Indians. Indians living in India and outside are our strength and asset. We will make them realise this. Today, the signalling is wrong. When their is violence against somebody, there is silence today, Rahul Gandhi said on efforts he will take to protect secularism
Rahul Gandhi's address has ended. He is now taking questions from the audience
Rahul Gandhi said that the country needs NRIs to protect the idea of India we deeply cherish. Togetther we must take India back to its original essence of ahimsa, non-violence. We cannot do that without our largest base and that is you. I am here to tell you what you mean to your country, you are important, to tell you that there is a serious problem at home, and to tell you are part of the solution. Your talent, skills, tolerance, patriotism is what India needs today. You have shown us how you have built the countries you have journeyed to
The government's failure to create jobs is creating unrest and anger in India. The anger is visible in streets and is rising rapidly. Govt, on the other hand, is busy converting the fear into hatred between communities. The government is trying to convert the frustration about jobs in hatred. The conversations in India are about what one can eat. People are killed for their beliefs. Judges dealing with sensitive issues are killed mysteriously and the government says nothing: Rahul Gandhi in Bahrain
India, today faces two main threats. The first threat is our government's inability to provide jobs. What China does in two days, India takes one year to do. Job creation is at a eight year low. Many people have lost money because of arbitrary decisions like demonetisation and this has crippled economy: Rahul Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi came to India with great visionaries. The vision was for the entire country and was appreciated by the entire world
I represent the Congress party. A party that was born to bring all people together, all regions together. the Congress's vision is to build bridges. Because of the role in India's liberation, ours is a vision deep rooted in NRIs. India's greatest leaders like Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar were once NRIs: Rahul Gandhi