‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi values diaspora, revived pravasi meet glory’
Pankaj Shah, Binay Singh | TNN | Updated: Jan 23, 2019, 07:57 IST
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj addresses PBD invitees. VARANASI: In an apparent swipe at Congress, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that the importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) started declining barely a year after it was organised for the first time in 2003 during the regime of former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She paid her respects to Vajpayee and lauded his idea for the initiative.
“Is Diwas ka mahatva 2004 se 2014 ke beech ghatata chala gaya...ye bhi ek sach hai (The importance of PBD declined from 2004 to 2014. This is also a truth),” Swaraj said while addressing NRIs at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Varanasi. The Congress led UPA government ruled the Centre between 2004 and 2014.
“ 2014 ke aate aate ye sirf ek rasm ban kar rah gaya... (By 2014 it became merely a formality),” she said, adding that after coming to power in 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only revived PBD and restored its lost glory but also infused a new lease of life in it. PM Modi valued the importance of Indian diaspora and started a direct dialogue with NRIs and PIOs.
Swaraj thanked NRIs for reciprocating the love and affection showered on them by PM Modi and said that she hoped that the good relations would continue. The growth and development in India has enhanced its image among foreign nations, she added.
Recalling an incident narrated to her by a man who had gone to Turkey with his family, Swaraj said that he felt overwhelmed when the people there clicked selfie with him because he was from India and praised the country and PM Modi.
“Organising PBD in Varanasi is special since Modi ji is not only the PM but also the MP from here,” Swaraj said.
She said that Uttar Pradesh was on trajectory of fast growth as governor Ram Naik and chief minister Yogi Adityanath think on similar lines. She said that the NRIs wanted to visit Kumbh in Prayagraj, for which the UP government gave its full support. She thanked CM Yogi for acceding to the request of her ministry to hold PBD in Varanasi and ensure that NRIs take holy dip during Kumbh.
Recalling Yogi’s response, she quoted him as saying, “ Kumbh mein snan karne se jo punya milta hai ussey do guna jyada punya Kumbh mein snan karwane se milta hai…(One gets twice blessed in ensuring holy dip during Kumbh for others).”
“Is Diwas ka mahatva 2004 se 2014 ke beech ghatata chala gaya...ye bhi ek sach hai (The importance of PBD declined from 2004 to 2014. This is also a truth),” Swaraj said while addressing NRIs at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Varanasi. The Congress led UPA government ruled the Centre between 2004 and 2014.
“ 2014 ke aate aate ye sirf ek rasm ban kar rah gaya... (By 2014 it became merely a formality),” she said, adding that after coming to power in 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only revived PBD and restored its lost glory but also infused a new lease of life in it. PM Modi valued the importance of Indian diaspora and started a direct dialogue with NRIs and PIOs.
Swaraj thanked NRIs for reciprocating the love and affection showered on them by PM Modi and said that she hoped that the good relations would continue. The growth and development in India has enhanced its image among foreign nations, she added.
Recalling an incident narrated to her by a man who had gone to Turkey with his family, Swaraj said that he felt overwhelmed when the people there clicked selfie with him because he was from India and praised the country and PM Modi.
“Organising PBD in Varanasi is special since Modi ji is not only the PM but also the MP from here,” Swaraj said.
She said that Uttar Pradesh was on trajectory of fast growth as governor Ram Naik and chief minister Yogi Adityanath think on similar lines. She said that the NRIs wanted to visit Kumbh in Prayagraj, for which the UP government gave its full support. She thanked CM Yogi for acceding to the request of her ministry to hold PBD in Varanasi and ensure that NRIs take holy dip during Kumbh.
Recalling Yogi’s response, she quoted him as saying, “ Kumbh mein snan karne se jo punya milta hai ussey do guna jyada punya Kumbh mein snan karwane se milta hai…(One gets twice blessed in ensuring holy dip during Kumbh for others).”
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